I 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regula!- Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No . ...121 
'1' 
.JUI.. -1 
Pl :40 
, "-
I(V. f-" 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
_ Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill is being filed under the parens patriae doctrine as the State looks after the 
welfare of its constituents, especially the children of single parents. 
The enactment of Republic Act 8972 otherwise known as the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 
2000, recognized the legal concept of Family from the traditional definition to that of the present 
which contemplates a family constituted by a single individual. 
This bill seeks to amend Republic Act 8972 otherwise known as the Solo Parents Welfare 
Act of 2000 by providing additional support and benefits to solo parents, such as but not limited 
to discounts from purchases of baby's milk, food and food supplements, clothing and medical 
supplies. It also provides penalties for violations. 
It is the intent of this bill not only to lessen the burden of solo parenting but to ensure as 
well that their children are given the opportunity for a better future. 
This proposal of course is mindful of the effects it may entail to businesses, employment 
and other economic activities. Nonetheless, it is still worthy of submission for evaluation and 
deliberation as all stakeholders may be able to strike a balance between profitability and social 
responsibility. 
In view of the foregoing, this bill is submitted. 
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
TO FURTHER EXTEND ASSISTANCE TO SOLO PARENTS AMENDING 
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT OF 2000 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives 0/ the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8972 otherwise known as the Solo Parents 
2 
Welfare Act of 2000 is hereby amended by adding the following definition the after subsection 
3 
\0 of Section 3, to read as follows: 
4 
5 
"Section 3. Definition of Terms.- Whenever used in this Act, the following terms 
6 
shall mean as follows: 
7 
8 
(a) "Solo parent"- any individual who falls under any of the following categories: 
9 
10 
11 
xxx 
12 
(11). PARENT LEFT SOLO OR ALONE WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY 
13 
OF PARENTHOOD DUE TO THE INVOLUNTARY INABILITY OF THE 
14 
OTHER SPOUSE TO HAVE AN EMPLOYMENT FOR AT LEAST ONE 
15 
(1) YEAR. 
16 
17 
A change in the status or circumstance of the parent claiming benefits under this 
18 
Act, such that he/ she is no longer left alone with the sole responsibility of 
19 
parenthood, shall terminate his/her eligibility for these benefits. Said benefits shall 
20 
seize to be available by the end of the year when the parent was last deemed a 
21 
solo parent as defined by this act. PROVIDED, THAT, A SINGLE PARENT 
22 
WHO IS RECEIVING SUPPORT FROM THE CHILD'S OTHER PARENT 
23 
SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE BENEFITS UNDER 
24 
THIS ACT." 
25 
26 
27 
SEC. 2. Section 8 ofthe Act is likewise amended to read as follows: 
28 
29 
"Section 8. Parental Leave - In addition to leave privileges under existing laws, 
30 
parental leave of not more than seven (7) working days WITH PAY every year 
31 
shall be granted to any solo parent employee who has rendered service of at least 
32 
one (\) year." 
33 
34 
SEC. 3. There shall be created and inserted a new section to read as follows: 
35 
36 


1 
"SECTION 13. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS. - IN ADDITION TO THE 
2 
FOREGOING BENEFITS, SOLO PARENTS WHO 
HAVE 
BEEN 
3 
QUALIFIED AS SUCH BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE 
4 
AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD) SHALL LIKEWISE BE ENTITLED TO 
5 
THE FOLLWOING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS: 
6 
7 
(I) TEN PERCENT (10%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PURCHASES OF 
8 
CLOTHING AND CLOTHING MATERIALS FOR THE CHILD 
9 
MADE WITHIN A PERIOD OF UP TO TWO (2) YEARS FROM THE 
10 
CHILD'S BIRTH; 
11 
12 
(2) FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PURCHASES 
13 
OF BABY'S MILK, FOOD AND FOOD SUPPLEMENTS MADE 
14 
WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWO (2) YEARS FROM THE CHILD'S 
15 
BIRTH; 
16 
17 
(3) FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PURCHASES 
18 
OF 
MEDICINES 
AND 
OTHER 
MEDICAL 
19 
SUPPLEMENTS/SUPPLIES FOR THE CHILD MADE WITHIN A 
20 
PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS FROM THE CHILD'S BIRTH; AND 
21 
22 
(4) BASIC PERSONAL EXEMPTION FROM INDIVIDUAL INCOME 
23 
T AX IN THE AMOUNT OF FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 
24 
50,000.00) IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING EXEMPTION THAT 
25 
THE SINGLE PARENT MAY CLAIM FOR HISIHER DEPENDENT 
26 
CHILD OR CHILDREN. 
27 
28 
29 
Section 4. The same law is hereby amended by adding a new section which shall read as 
30 
follows: 
31 
32 
"SECTION 14. SOLO PARENTS ID.- ANY SOLO PARENT AS DEFINED 
33 
BY LAW AND 
ITS 
AMENDATORY 
PROVISIONS 
SHALL 
BE 
34 
ENTITLED TO THE ISSUANCE OF A SOLO PARENT ID BY THE 
35 
MUNICIPAL OR CITY SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER. 
36 
37 
38 
Section 5. The same law is hereby amended by adding a new section which shall read as 
39 
follows: 
40 
41 
"SECTION 15. "PENAL PROVISIONS"- ANY EMPLOYER WHO FAILS 
42 
TO PROVIDE THE BENEFITS MENTIONED IN SECTIONS 6,7,8,13 OF 
43 
THIS ACT SHALL SUFFER THE FOLLOWING PENALTY: 
44 
45 
(1) FINE OF NOT LESS THAN TEN THOUSAND PESOS (PIO,OOO.OO) BUT 
46 
NOT EXCEEDING FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50, 000. 00) OR 
47 
IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN SIX MONTHS BUT NOT MORE 
48 
THAN ONE YEAR, OR BOTH AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT. 
49 
50 
(2) FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION, A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN 
51 
ONE 
HUNDRED 
THOUSAND 
PESOS 
(PIOO,OOO.OO) 
BUT 
NOT 
52 
EXCEEDING TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P200,000.00) OR 
53 
IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR BUT NOT MORE 
54 
THAN TWO YEARS, OR BOTH AT THE DISCRETION OF THE 
55 
COURT. 
56 
2 


• 
(3) ANY PERSON WHO ABUSES THE PRIVILEGES HEREIN SHALL BE 
2 
PUNISHED WITH IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN SIX 
3 
MONTHS OR A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN FIVE THOUSAND PESOS 
4 
(P5,OOO.OO) BUT NOT MORE THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS 
5 
(P50,OOO.OO), OR BOTH AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT. 
6 
7 
(4) IF TI-IE VIOLATOR IS A CORPORATION, ORGANIZATION OR ANY 
8 
SIMILAR ENTITY, THE OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES THEREOF 
9 
DIRECTLY 
INVOLVED 
SHALL 
BE 
INDIVIDUALLY 
LIABLE 
10 
THEREFORE. 
1 1 
12 
(5) IF THE VIOLATOR IS AN ALIEN OR A FOREIGNER, HE SHALL BE 
13 
DEPORTED 
IMMEDIATELY 
AFTER 
SERVICE 
OF SENTENCE 
14 
WITHOUT FURTHER DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS. 
15 
16 
UPON FILING OF AN APPROPRIATE COMPLAINT. AND 
17 
AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING, THE PROPER AUTHORITIES 
18 
MAY ALSO CAUSE THE REVOCATION OR CANCELLATION OF THE 
19 
BUSINESS PERMIT, PERMIT TO OPERATE, FRANCHISE AND 
20 
OTHER SIMILAR PRIVILEGES GRANTED TO ANY BUSINESSES 
21 
THAT FAILS TO ABIDE BY THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT" 
22 
23 
Provided That with the introduction of new sections, Republic Act 8972 is hereby 
24 
renumbered accordingly. 
25 
26 
Section 6. The inter-agency committee created under Republic Act 8972 shall formulate 
27 
the rules to implement this Act in consultation with other government agencies and private 
28 
organizations. 
29 
30 
Section 7. All Acts or parts of Acts, executive orders and their implementing rules 
31 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
32 
accordingly. 
33 
34 
Section 8 If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the remainder of this Act or any 
35 
provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and in effect. 
36 
37 
Section 9. This Act takes effect fifteen days after its complete publication in the Official 
38 
Gazete or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
39 
40 
Approved. 
3