REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

596

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by Hon. Carol Jayne B. Lopez
EXPLANATORY NOTE

In a study by the Department of Health, around 14-15% of Filipino
households are run by female-headed solo parents. Needless to state excluded
in this are male-headed households which is no longer uncommon these days.

When Republic Act No. 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act was enacted
in 2000, it sought to provide non-monetary benefits to solo parents, in the form
of leaves, assistance and so forth. However, it is submitted that solo parents
are likewise entitled to discounts normally given to other marginalized sectors
of our society like the seniors and those with disabilities as solo parents also
experience economic difficulties, being obviously single parents as they are.

The bills thus aims to strengthen Republic Act No. 8972 by granting
additional benefits to qualified solo parents and reducing the waiting period
from one (1) year to six (6) months for which a person can be qualified as a solo
parent. It

is likewise the intent of this bill to ensure its effective implementation by
imposing penalties to those individuals or institution who fail to enforce its
provisions as it was seen in the past that certain specific groups entitled to
discounts provided by our statutes have in fact complained that they are not
being given such discounts for reasons known and acceptable only to business
establishments. As for those who intend to abuse the grant of benefits, there is
likewise a penalty provided in the proposed bill.

It is thus hoped that this bill be approved.

CAROY JAYNE B. LOPEZ
Representative


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. ___ 596

Introduced by Hon. Carol Jayne B. Lopez

AN ACT GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO SOLO PARENTS AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO, 8972, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE,
“SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT OF 2000”

Be it enacted the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Se
read as follows

s 2 and 3 of Republic Act No. 8972 are hereby amended to

j

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy ~1t is the! policy of the State to promote
the family as the foundation of the, nation, strengthen its solidarity and’ to
ensure its total development. Towards its end, it shall develop a comprehensive
program of services for solo parents and their children to be carried out by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of
Health (DOH), Department of Education(DepEd), Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the
National Housing Authority (NHA), the Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE), and other related government and non government agencies.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms — Whenever used in this Act, the following
terms shall mean as follows:

a.) “Solo Parent” — any individual who falls under any of the
following categories: :

(1)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 mothtr keeps the child and bears sole and Jone parenting
responsibility

XXX
(3)Parent who bears sole and lone parenting responsibility while

the spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at
least six (6) months;



XXX

(5)Parent who bears sole and lone parenting responsibility due to
legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least six (6) months,
as long as the solo parent is entrusted with the custody of the children;

XXX

(Parent who bears sole and lone parenting responsibility of
parenthood due to abandonment of spouse for at least six (6) months;

XXX

(9)Any legal guardian, adoptive or foster parent who solely
provides parental care and support to a child or children;

XXX

e.)’Flexible work schedule” ~-is the right granted to a solo parent
employce to vary his or her arrival and departure time in the office without
affecting the core work hours as defined by the employer.

SECTION 2. Sections 4 and 5 of the Act are hereby amended to read as follows:

ION 4.Criteria for Support- Any solo parent whos
place of domicile falls below the poverty threshold as set by the National
Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) and subject to the assessment of the
spartment of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) local social welfare
er in the area Where the solo parent resides , shall be cligible’, for
assistance: Provided, however, That any solo parent whose income is above the
poverty threshold shall enjoy the benefits mentioned in sections 6, 7 and,8 of
this Act. 4

income in the

Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare
Services- A comprehensive package of social development and welfare services
for solo parents and their families shall be developed by the Secretary of th
DSWD in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of
Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical
Education And Skills Development Administration (TESDA), Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Housing Authority (NHA),Department
of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA), Civil Service Commission (CSC), National Council of Women
in the Philippines (NCWP), Unionof Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP)
and local governments units and non-governmental organization with proven
track record in providing services for solo parents.

XXX

SECTION 3. Sections 8, 9 and 10 of the same Act are hereby amended to read
as follows:

“SECTION 8. Parental Leave in addition to leave privileges under
existing laws, parental leave of not more than seven (7) working days every year


shall be granted to any solo parent employee who has rendered service of at
least six (6) months.

SECTION 9. Educational Benefits ~The Deped, CHED and TESDA shall
provide the following benefits and privileges:

(1) Scholarship programs for qualified solo parents and their
children in institutions of basic, tertiary, and technical or
vocational skills education; and

XXX

SECTION 10. Housing Benefits - Solo parents shall be given allocation in
housing projects and shall be provided with liberal terms of payment on. said
government low- housing projects in accordance with housing ; law
provisions prioritizing applicants below the poverty line as declared. by the
NSCB.” ;

SECTION 4. Nev
hereby added to ree

ctions to be denominated as Sections 13, 14, 25 and 16 are
id as follows:

“SECTION 13. SOLO PARENT IDENTIFICATION CARD (SPIC) — UPON
QUALIFICATION AND SUBMISSION OF PROPER DOCUMENTS, AN
IDENTIFICATION CARD PPROVE) Y THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE
WHERE THE SOLO PARI BY THE CITY OR MUNICIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE.
AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER.

SECTION 14, ADDITIONAL BEN A SOLO PARENT SHALL BE
ENTITLED TO THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

a.) ‘TEN PERCENT (10%) DISCOUNT ON CHILDREN’S CLOTHING
MATERIALS FOR ALL PURCHASES MADDE WITHIN TWO (2)
YEARS FROM THE BIRTH OF THE CHILD OF THE SOLO PARENT.

b.) FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) DISCOPUNT ON BABY’S MILK, FOOD.
AND FOOD SUPLEMENT FOR ALL PURCHASES MADE WITHIN
‘TWO (2) YEARS FROM THE BIRTH OF THE CHILD OF THE SOLO,
PARENT.

c¢.) FIFTEEN: PERCENT (15%) DISCOUNT ON ALL PURCHASES OF
THE SOLO PARENT. OF MEDICINES AND OTHER MEDICAL
SUPLEMENT OR SUPPLIES THAT SHALL BE USED BY THE
CHILD WHO ARE FIVE (5) YEARS OLD AND BELOW.

TO AVAIL OF THESE BENEFITS, THE SOLO PARENT SHALL
SUBMIT OR PRESENT THE SOLO PARENT IDENTIFICATION CARD AND
THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF THE CHILD OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF
ENTITLEMENT.

THE CORPORATION OR BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT THAT
GIVES A DISCOUNT TO THE SOLO PARENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THIS SECTION SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CLAIM THE DISCOUNT GIVEN
AS A BUSINESS EXPENSE SUBJECT TO PROPER RECORDING: AND
DOCUMENTATION.

SECTION 15. INTER-AGENCY COORDINATING AND MONITORING


COMMITTEE — A SPECIAL INTER-AGENCY COMMITTEE, HEREINAFTER
REFERRED TO AS THE COMMITTEE, SHALL BE ESTABLISHED TO
COORDINATE AND MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTAATION OF THIS ACT.
THE COMMITTEE WHICH SHALL BE CONSTITUTED WITHIN NINETY
(90) DAYS UPON THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT SHALL BE
COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING:

A) DSWD Secretary as Chair ;

B,) DOH Secretary or any authorized representative;
i) d Secretary or any authorized representative;
Dd) Secretary or any authorized representative;
E.) _DILG Secretary or any authorized representative;
F.) DTI Secretary or any authorized representative;

G) Commissioner of the BIR or any authorized rep:

H.) Chair of the CHED or any authorized representative ;

1) Chair of the CSC or any authorized representative;

J.) Chair of the NCWP or any authorized representative;

K.) Diector General’ of the NEDA or any autho
representative;

L.) General Manager of the NHA or any authorized
representative;

M.) _ A representative of the ULAP.

THE COMMITTEE SHALL SUBMIT A REGULAR REPORT TO CONGRESS
ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT EVERY THREE (3) YEARS.
FOLLOWING ITS EFFECTIVITY,,

SECTION 16. PENALTIES — ANY PERSON, CORPORATION, ENTITY
OR AGI WHO Ff OR FAILS TO PROVIDE THE BENEFITS.
GRANTED TO THE SOLO PARENT IN VIOLATION OF THIS ACT SHALL
SUFFER THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES:

1.) FOR THE FIRST VIOLATION — A FINE OF NOT#
THAN TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P10,000.00) BUT NO’
MORE THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00)
OR IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN SIX (6)
MONTHS BUT NOT MORE THAN ONE (1) YEAR,'OR
BOTH, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT.

2.) FOR SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION - A FINE NOT LESS
THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS
(P100,000.00) BUT NOT MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED.
‘THOUSAND. PESOS (P200,000.00) OR
IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN ONE (1) YEAR
BUT NOT MORE THAN TWO (2) YEARS, OR BOTH, AT
THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT.

IF THE OFFENDER IS A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, OR
ORGANIZATION OR ANY SIMILAR ENTITY, THE EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS
DIRECTLY INVOLVED SUCH AS THE PRESIDENT, GENERAL MANAGER,
MANAGING PARTNER OR OTHER OFFICER CHARGED WITH THE
MANAGEMENT OF ITS AFFAIRS SHALL BE LIABLE THEREFOR.

IF THE OFFENDER IS AN ALIEN, THE OFFENDER SHALL BE


DEPORTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER: SERVICE OF SENTENCE WITHOUT
FURTHER DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS.

UPON FILING. OF AN APPROPRIATE COMPLAINT AND AFTER DUE
NOTICE AND HEARING, THE PROPER AUTHORIT! MAY ALSO CAUSE THE
CANCELLATION OR REVOCATION OF THE BUSINESS PERMIT, PERMIT TO.
OPERAT! 'RANCHISE AND OTHER SIMILAR PRIVILEGES GRANTED TO ANY
BUSIN! ITY THAT FSILS TO ABIDE BY THE PRIVISION OF THIS ACT,

ANY PERSON WHO MISREPRESENTS STATUS OR FALSIFIES ANY
DOCUMENT TO AVAIL OF THE BENEFITS PROVIDED UNDER THIS ACT OR
ANY PERSON WHO ABUSES THE PRIVILEGES GRANTED HEREIN SHALL BE.
PUNISHED WITH A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN TEN THOUSAND PESOS
(P10,000.00)BUT NOT MORE THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS
(P50,000.00)AND IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN SIX (6) MONTHS.

UPON FINDING BY THE DSWD THAT A DEPARTMENT AGENCY, OR
INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE GOVERNMENT, A GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR
CONTROLLED CORPORATION (GOCC) OR A LOCAL GOVERNMENT ‘UNIT,
HAD VIOLATED ANY PROVISION OF THIS ACT, SANCTIONS UNDER ‘THE.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, CIVIL SERVICE OR OTHER LAWS MAY BE
RECOMMENDED TO THE CSC OR THE DILG AGAINST THE HEAD OF THE,
AGENCY OR THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND THE PERSON DIRECTLY
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VIOLATION.”

SECTION 5. Sections 13 and 14 of the same Act are hereby renumbered as
Section 17 and 18 and amended as follows:

“SECTION [13] 17. Implementation Rules and Regulations ~ Within ninety
(90) days from the approval of this Act, the DSWD shall, in consultation and
coordination with the DOH, DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA, and DILG,
DTI, BIR, NEDA, CSC, NCMF, NCIP, PCW, AND ULAP issue the necessary rules
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION [14] 18. Appropriations ~The amount necessary to carry out
the provision of this Act shall be included in the budget of the concerned
government agencies in the ANNUAL General Appropriations Act (GAA)

Government agencies may utilize a portion of their respective budget for
nd development programs and activities to implement this Act.

Ron purposes ontliase ction, gender and d
undertaken by government ag: to address gender
structures of gender equality and emphasize
fund: al role of women as active agents of development and not just

passive recipients of assistance.

elopment ref

'S to proce

SECTION 6, Sections 15, 16 and 17 of the same Act , are hereby renumbered
as Sections 19, 20 and 21, respectively.

SECTION 7. All laws, executive orders or issuance, or any part of thereof
which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended according]

SECTION 8. If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional, ithe
other provision not affected thereby shall continue to be in full forc and



effect.

SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.