R.A. 8972 Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000

DSWD spearheads and guides the implementation of the

Solo Parents' Welfare Act

Thank you!

Solo Parents' Welfare

Act of 2000

A Closer Look

Question?

The concerned agencies

What is the leading agency or

department for this act?

Descriptions

A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without a final conviction of the offender: Provided, That the mother keeps and raises the child.

• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
• Department of Health (DOH)
• Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS)
• Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
• Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
• Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) National Housing Authority (NHA)
• Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other related government and nongovernment agencies.

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to death of spouse

refer to those living with and dependent upon the solo parent for support who are unmarried, unemployed and not more than eighteen (18) years of age, or even over eighteen (18) years but are incapable of self-support because of mental and/or physical defect/disability

Of a Solo Parent:

with respect to their minor children shall refer to the rights and duties of the parents as defined in Article 220 of Executive Order No. 209, as amended, otherwise known as the "Family Code of the Philippines."

Also, it has additional functions and powers...

shall mean leave benefits granted to a solo parent to enable him/her to perform parental duties and responsibilities where physical presence is required

Of Children:

Of Parental Responsibility:

is the right granted to a solo parent employee to vary his/her arrival and departure time without affecting the core work hours as defined by the employer.

Of Parental Leave:

Of Flexible Work Schedule:

Monitor the implementation of the provisions of this Act and suggest mechanisms by which such provisions are effectively implemented

And most importantly...

Conduct research necessary to: (1) develop a new body of knowledge on solo parents; (2) define executive and legislative measures needed to promote and protect the interest of solo parents and their children; and (3) assess the effectiveness of programs designed for disadvantaged solo parents and their children

Coordinate the activities of various governmental and nongovernmental organizations engaged in promoting and protecting the interests of solo parents and their children;

• Critical incidence stress debriefing which includes preventive stress management strategy designed to assist solo parents in coping with crisis situations and cases of abuse.

• Special projects for individuals in need of protection which include temporary shelter, counseling, legal assistance, medical care, self-concept or ego-building, crisis management and spiritual enrichment.

Social development and welfare services

which include...

• Livelihood development services which include trainings on livelihood skills, basic business management, value orientation and the provision of seed capital or job placement.

• Parent effectiveness services which include the provision and expansion of knowledge and skills of the solo parent on early childhood development, behavior management, health care, rights and duties of parents and children.

• Counseling services which include individual, peer group or family counseling. This will focus on the resolution of personal relationship and role conflicts

The Benefits of Solo Parents

Educational benefits

• Scholarship programs for qualified solo parents and their children in institutions of basic, tertiary and technical/skills education

• Non formal education programs appropriate for solo parents and their children

R.A. 8972

In the life of a Filipino

Question?

But how about its implementation?

Is it effective?

Housing benefits

• Solo parents shall be given allocation in housing projects and shall be provided with liberal terms of payment on said government low-cost housing projects in accordance with housing law provisions prioritizing applicants below the poverty line as declared by the NEDA.

Medical assistance

• The DOH shall develop a comprehensive health care program for solo parents and their children. The program shall be implemented by the DOH through their retained hospitals and medical centers and the local government units (LGUs) through their provincial/district/city/municipal hospitals and rural health units (RHUs).