The City Government of Valenzuela starts the distribution of new solo parent IDs under the administration of Mayor WES Gatchalian as a symbol of constant support to solo parents in the city through initiatives and programs adapted from national laws, October 11, 2022.

Janet Mirabueno, 47, of Barangay Bignay is a proud mother of 5 children, aged 27, 23, 21, 19, and 15 has been single-handedly raising her children for 16 years since she was separated from her husband in 2006, but she never felt alone in supporting her children achieve their goals and dreams. She applied for the solo parent ID in 2014 as she learned of the benefits and privileges from this program.

According to Ms. Linda Santiago, Focal Person for Women and Family of Valenzuela City Social Welfare Office (CSWDO), solo parents in the city have a lot of benefits and privileges that can be enjoyed through Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000, and Republic Act 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2022.

“Unang una po ‘yung seven days parental leave, priority po sila sa medical assistance natin, mayroon po silang flexi-time kung saan puwede po silang makipag coordinate sa employer nila para i-adjust ‘yung working hours nila, mayroon na pong 10% discount sa mga basic commodities ang mga solo parents na ang kinikita ay 250,000 per annum kung saan ang priority ay ‘yung mga parents na may anak na 6 years old and below. Ipakita lang po nila ‘yung mga ID nila sa mga public hospital natin ay libre na po sila sa mga laboratories natin dito sa city.” [First of all, they have the seven days parental leave, they are prioritized in medical assistance, they can apply for flexi-time wherein they would coordinate with their employers to adjust their working hours. Solo parents earning 250,000 and below per annum will now also enjoy 10% discount for basic commodities prioritizing solo parents who have children that are 6 years old and below. They could show their IDs to our public hospitals and their laboratory services would be free of charge.]

Under the new law, Republic Act 11861 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2022, amendments and additional benefits of solo parents are as follows:

• Spouses and family members, including grandparents and guardians who bear full responsibility of taking care of children of OFWs who belong to the low-income category living outside the country for a continuous period of 12 months are now considered solo parents.
• Solo parents who have children up to 22 years old are now qualified to avail of the solo parent ID as long as their children are unmarried and unemployed.
• Php 1,000 cash subsidy per month for minimum wage (or below) earner solo parents from the Local Government Unit (LGU).
• Automatic PhilHealth coverage.
• Apprenticeship programs at the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for qualified single parents and their children.

Currently, the Valenzuela CSWDO is on the process of assessing all the pre-registered Valenzuelano solo parents in distinguishing qualified solo parents for the Php 1,000 subsidy. The ordinance regarding the funds for the subsidy is yet to be approved by the city council.

Valenzuela’s CSWDO is scheduled to distribute Solo Parent IDs to 2,197 pre-registered solo parents until October 14. New applicants are also welcome to apply and are required to bring the following documents: Barangay Clearance, Affidavit of Separation or Guardianship (if separated), Death Certificate of spouse (if widow), Birth Certificate of Children dependent on the parent, Valid ID, and Solo Parent Certification from their barangay.

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