Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3598

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROVIDING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO SOLO PARENTS AND
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATORS, AMENDING FOR
THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE SOLO PARENTS’ WELFARE ACT OF 2000

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 8972, otherwise known as the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act
was enacted to provide benefits and privileges to solo parents and their children.
This was in recognition of the efforts and sacrifices that solo parents must endure
in raising and rearing their children.

RA 8972 breathed life to the Constitution's mandate that “the State shall
promote the family as the foundation of the nation, strengthen its solidarity and
ensure its total development.” Thus, to ensure that the law's lofty objectives are
attained, the present bill seeks to expand the coverage and benefits given to solo
parents. Specifically, these additional benefits include discounts for purchases
intended for the child's consumption and increase in the personal exemption of
the solo parent for income tax purposes.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

DIOSDADON "AGAL ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2
House Bill No,_ 9998

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROVIDING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO SOLO PARENTS AND
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATORS, AMENDING FOR
THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE SOLO PARENTS’ WELFARE ACT OF 2000

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

SECTION 1. An additional provision is inserted to the last paragraph of
Section 3 (a) of Republic Act No. 8972 to read as follows

“A change in the status or circumstance of the parent claiming
benefits under this Act, such that he/she no longer left alone with
the responsibility of parenthood, shall terminate his/her eligibility for
these benefits. PROVIDED THAT, A SINGLE PARENT WHO IS
RECEIVING REGULAR SUPPORT FROM THE CHILD’S OTHER
PARENT SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE
BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THIS ACT.”

SECTION 2. There shall be created a new Section to Republic Act No. 8972
to read as follows:

“SECTION 12. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS. — IN ADDITION TO THE
FOREGOING BENEFITS, SOLO PARENTS WHO HAVE BEEN
QUALIFIED AS SUCH BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD) SHALL LIKEWISE BE
ENTITLED TO THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:


1. TEN PERCENT (10%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL
PURCHASES OF CLOTHING MATERIALS FOR THE
CHILD FOR PURCHASES MADE WITHIN A PERIOD OF
UP TO TWO (2) YEARS FROM THE CHILD’S BIRTH;

2. FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL
PURCHASES OF BABY’S MILK, FOOD AND FOOD
SUPPLEMENTS FOR PURCHASES MADE WITHIN A
PERIOD OF TWO (2) YEARS FROM THE CHILD’S BIRTH;

3. FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL
PURCHASES OF MEDICINES AND OTHER MEDICAL
SUPPLEMENTS/SUPPLIES FOR THE CHILD FOR THE
PURCHASES MADE WITHIN A PERIOD OF FIVE (5)
YEARS FROM THE CHILD’S BIRTH; AND

4. BASIC PERSONAL TAX EXEMPTION FROM INDIVIDUAL
INCOME TAX IN THE AMOUNT OF FIFTY THOUSAND
PESOS (P50,000.00) IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING
EXEMPTION THAT THE SINGLE PARENT MAY CLAIM
FOR HIS/HER DEPENDENT CHILD/CHILDREN.”

Succeeding sections shall be renumbered accordingly.

SECTION 3. There shall be created another section after the Appropriations

Section of Republic Act No. 8972 to read as follows:

“SECTION 16. PENAL PROVISIONS. - ANY PERSON OR
COMPANY WHO VIOLATES THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT
BY DENYING OR HINDERING A SOLO PARENT FROM
AVAILING ANY OF THE BENEFITS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE
PENALIZED BY A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND
PESOS (P50,000.00) FOR THE FIRST VIOLATION; ONE
HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00) FOR THE
SECOND VIOLATION; AND TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND
PESOS (P200,000.00) FOR THE THIRD AND SUCCEEDING
VIOLATIONS.”

Succeeding sections shall be renumbered accordingly.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. — If any part, section, or provision of this
Act shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions shall not be

affected thereby

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SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — Alll laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation

Approved,