Do you know that there are more than 20 million solo parents in the Philippines?
It’s surprising to know that a family-oriented country has so many solo parents. We salute all the solo parents out there who do everything to provide and care for their family especially their children so much that they sometimes have to sacrifice their own happiness and personal needs just to give the best to them.
Good thing our government is supportive enough to recognize the efforts and sacrifices of solo parents in the Philippines. In fact, there is a law that supports single or solo parents.
RA 8972 or The Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000
RA 8972 was enacted to provide a comprehensive program of services for solo parents and their children.
Who are considered as Single or Solo Parents?
1. Single Mother or Father who are left by their spouse and who takes responsibility in rearing and caring for their children, which may be due to the following reasons:
- Death of spouse
- abandoned by spouse
- Physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner
- Legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least one 1 year
- Declaration of annulment of marriage
- Spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one 1 year
2. Unmarried mother or father who has preferred to keep and rear the child or children instead of giving them up to a welfare institution.
3. A woman who gives birth as a result of rape, provided that the mother keeps and raises the child.
4. Any family member who assumes the responsibility of head of family as a result of the abandonment or disappearance of parents or solo parent.
5. Any other person who solely takes responsibility of parenthood to a child or children.
Why you need to apply for a Solo Parent ID (BENEFITS)
The solo parent must apply for a Solo Parent ID in order to avail of the benefits of RA 8972 or The Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000, which includes the following Solo Parent Benefits:
1. Flexible work schedule
The solo-parent employee has the right to request to vary his/her arrival and departure time without affecting the core work hours as defined by the employer.
The employer shall provide for a flexible working schedule for solo-parents, as long as it shall not affect individual and company productivity.
2. No work discrimination
Employers are prohibited from discriminating against any solo-parent employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment on account of his/her status.
3. Parental leave
These are leave benefits granted to a solo parent to enable him/her to perform parental duties and responsibilities where physical presence is required.
In addition to leave privileges under existing laws, parental leave of not more than seven working days every year shall be granted to any solo-parent employee who has rendered services for at least 1 year with full pay, consisting of basic salary and mandatory allowances.
- In order to benefit from the “parental leave,” a solo-parent employee should have rendered at least one year of service, whether continuous or broken.
- The employee should notify her or his employer that she or he will avail herself/himself of the leave within a reasonable period of time.
- The solo-parent employee must present to the employer his or her Solo Parent Identification Card.
- A solo-parent employee should remember that “parental leave” is not convertible to cash if not availed of.
4. Additional support and assistance
If the solo parent falls below the poverty threshold set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), he or she can avail of educational, housing, and medical assistance.
The solo parent can request for such assistance from the Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and/or the National Housing Authority (NHA).
What are the Requirements for Solo Parent ID Application?
1. Barangay certificate
Get a barangay certificate as a proof that you have resided in your barangay for the last 6 months. To request for a barangay certificate or barangay clearance, go to your barangay hall, bring a valid government ID to verify your home address and cash for the processing fee.
2. Proof of financial status
Employed solo parent need to secure a copy of Income Tax Return (ITR) through your company’s Human Resource Department or through the BIR.
Home-based or freelancer parents, on the other hand, must present a document that will validate their income level to the DSWD.
3. Supporting documents or certificates
You need to prepare documents and certificates that can prove your solo parent status. This can be a spouse’s death certificate, declaration of nullity of marriage, or medical certificates.
4. Birth certificate/s of your child/children
You may request a copy of your child’s birth certificate from the PSA or formerly known as NSO.
5. Solo Parent ID application form
You need to fill out the Solo Parent ID Application form which you can get from your city or province’s social welfare and development office.
You may also download the Solo Parent ID Application form here, print, and fill it out with all the required information.
What are the steps in applying for Solo Parent ID
1. Prepare all the required documents as listed above.
2. Go to your city or province’s social welfare and development office.
3. Submit your documents to a social worker for assessment and verification.
F.A.Q.s about the Solo Parent ID
Is there a fee for the Solo Parent ID?
No. It is FREE to apply for a Solo Parent ID.
How long will it take to receive my Solo Parent ID?
The processing of the Solo Parent ID can take up to 30 days
How long is the Validity of the Solo Parent ID?
The Solo Parent ID is valid for 1 year and it is renewable.
What to do if my employer refuse provide the benefits under this Solo Parent Act?
So far, RA 8972 does not provide penalty clauses in case the employer refuses, without justifiable reasons, to observe the mandates of the law on solo-parent employee benefits. It now appears that RA 8972 has no tooth at all that would compel employers to strictly comply with the directives of RA 8972.
This is also the reason why amendments to this law have been submitted by different entities to enforce criminal liabilities on employers who fail to comply with the same. But as of this writing, these amendments are still to be reviewed and approved.
What is DSWD contact number and address?
- DSWD – National Capital Region
- Address: 389 San Rafael Street corner Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
- Contact Number: (02) 733-0010 to 18
- Official e-mail Address: foncr@dswd.gov.ph
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