Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
5497

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It takes a village to raise a child. However, because of some influences in our
culture, child-rearing has been designated to the nuclear family. This vital societal
role has been solely entrusted to the parents of the child. In some more conservative
settings, it is seen solely as the responsibility of the mother.

Now when it comes to solo parents, the already-lacking social expectation
means double the effort. A single parent must now be able to responsibly and
dutifully raise their children while being able to provide for their economic needs.
Especially for the less-advantaged, this presents a monumental challenge.

‘The State, in its role as parens patriae has a substantial interest in ensuring
that each family is able to rear their children without additional burdens. Thus, the
State should put forward measures to ensure that the already difficult predicament
of solo parents be made easier so that their children would not be neglected and
would be cared for physically, mentally, and emotionally.

This proposed Act would greatly aid our solo parents in their struggle to be
there for their children. It takes a village to raise a child. This Act is the village lending
its aid.

It is for these foregoing premises that the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

€. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Party List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5497

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

AN ACT
GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES FOR SOLO PARENTS,
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 8972

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Expanded Solo
Parents’ Act.”

SECTION 2. Section 3 of Republic Act. No. 8972 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

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

a) xxx
b) xxx

©) xxx

d) xxx

e

a

1) Public transportation utilities — refer to all Philippine common carriers
engaged in the business of carrying or transporting passengers or goods
by land, sea/water, or air, for compensation, offering their services to the
public;


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2) Public transportation utility operator — refers to the person or entity granted
with a Certificate of Public Convenience by a regulatory agency to operate
as a common carrier.”

SECTION 3. Republic Act No. 8972 is hereby amended as follows:

“SECTION 12. Fare Discount Privilege. - A solo parent under this Act shall be
entitled to a grant of twenty percent (20%) discount on domestic regular fares, upon
presentation of their duly-issued identification card to be provided by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development, subject to an appropriate verification
mechanism to be provided in the implementing rules and regulations.

SECTION 13. Other privileges. - Solo parents shall also be entitled to the
following:

1) The grant of a minimum five percent (5%) discount relative to the monthly
utilization of water and electricity supplied by the public utilities: Provided,
that the individual meters for the foregoing utilities are registered in the
name of the solo parent residing therein: Provided further, that the monthly
consumption does not exceed one hundred kilowatt hours (100KWh) of
electricity or thirty cubic meters (30 m‘) of water.

2) The grant of twenty percent (20%) discount on the sale of the following
goods and services from all establishments, for the exclusive use and
enjoyment or availment of the solo parent:

a. Purchase of medicines, and other essential medical supplies to be
determined by the Department of Health (DOH). The DOH shall
establish guidelines and mechanism of compulsory rebates in the
sharing of burden of discounts among retailers, manufacturers, and
distributors, taking into consideration their respective margins;

b. On the professional fees of licensed health professionals providing
home health care services as endorsed by private hospitals or
employed through home health care employment agencies;

c. On medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees in
all private hospitals, medical facilities, outpatient clinics, and home
health care services, in accordance with the rules and regulations
to be issued by the DOH, in coordination with the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (Philhealth);

SECTION 14. Enjoyment of Fare Discount and Other Privileges. — A solo parent
who wishes to avail of the privileges provided under Sections 12 and 13 of this
Act shall be required to furnish proof of their status as solo parents through
proper documentation or identification as would be determined by the DSWD.

SECTION 15. Additional Powers and Functions of the DSWD. - The DSWD shall
perform the following additional powers and functions relative to the welfare
of solo parents and their families:

a) xx

b) xxx


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c) xxx

d) Provide the proper means or system of documentation/identification to
enable solo parents to enjoy the privileges and benefits provided in
Sections 12 and 13 of this Act.”

SECTION 4. Repeating Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, and
proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act, are
hereby amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in
full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,