Gemeline C. Hoceña of Barangay Malinta, a proud mother of two has been single-handedly raising her children since she became a widow in 2002, but she has never felt alone in raising and supporting her children to achieve their dreams. 

The local government of Valenzuela has been constantly backing up solo parents like Gemeline through local initiatives and programs cascaded down from the national government. 

According to Ms. Linda Santiago, Focal Person for Women and Family of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), solo parents have numerous benefits and privileges that they shall enjoy and experience under the Republic Act No. 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000. 

“Mayroon tayong counseling, mayroong tayong financial assistance, may medical tayo. Mayroon tayong educational assistance, may ‘balik-probinsiya’ kung gusto nila. Lahat ng mandatory [na benepisyo] na galing sa DSWD ay compliant po tayo (We offer counseling, financial, medical [and] educational assistance. We also have ‘balik-probinsiya’ if they prefer it. The city government is compliant in all the mandated benefits of the DWSD),” Ms. Santiago said. 

Ms. Hoceña joined the solo parents organization in 2011. The local government has granted her with financial assistance which she used to support the studies of her children. Her eldest is now a graduating student of B.S. Psychology at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) while her second child is a Grade 10 student at Malinta National High School. 

“Hindi naging balakid sa akin ang pagiging solo parent, in fact tinulungan ako nitong maging matatag (Being a solo parent has never been a hindrance for me, in fact it helped me to become a stronger person),” she said. 

As the president of solo parents in Barangay Malinta, she was one of the officers who attended the first General Assembly for Solo Parent Officers in all barangays in the city held at the Valenzuela City Social Hall, September 15, 2017. 

The General Assembly aims to introduce the officers of different barangays to each other and, consequently, to identify the individuals who are ready for the responsibilities of being the city’s representative once elected in the citywide election of solo parent officers. The CSWDO also sought their willingness to register their organization with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 

Contrary to popular perception, the benefits of RA 8972 are not exclusively available for female solo parents only. There are numerous male solo parents who are registered with the CSWDO – Solo Parents Service Unit. Like their female counterparts, they are provided with Solo Parent Identification Card which serves as a validation when they avail of seven days solo parent leave from work, among other benefits. 

To learn more about the initiatives of the City Government of Valenzuela for solo parents, the CSWDO - Solo Parents Service Unit can be reached at 352-1000 local 1416 and 294-2293.