Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

4971

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this representation
respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving support from the
Past congress (Rep. Rosenda Ann Ocampo’s HB00388, Rep. Benhur Lopez Jr.'s
HB00878, Rep. Lawrence Fortun’s HB00972, and Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s
HB01520, among others).

Republic Act No. 8972, otherwise known as the Solo Parent’s Welfare Act, was
enacted to provide benefits and privileges to solo parents and their children. Despite
the milestones brought about by the aforementioned piece of legislation, there is an
urgent need to update and expand the coverage and benefits given to solo parents.
The proposed legislation also introduces measures (e.g. reduction of the waiting
period for which a person can be qualified as a solo parent) to further ease the
difficulties experienced by a solo parent.

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

JOH! IN /UL SERVO” NIETO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4971

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

AN ACT GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO SOLO PARENTS 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. Sections 2 and 3 of Republic Act No. 8972 hereby amended to
read as follows:

"SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to promote
the family as the foundation of the nation, strengthen its solidarity and ensure
its total development. Towards this 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), the [Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS)]
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED), the Department of 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.

SEC. 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 mother keeps [and raises] the child AND
BEARS SOLO AND LONE PARENTING RESPONSIBILITY;

XXX

(3) Parent [left solo or alone with the] WHO BEARS SOLE AND

LONE PARENTING responsibility [of parenthood] while the
spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction

for at least [one (1) year] SIX (6) MONTHS;


XXX

(5) Parent [left solo or alone with the] WHO BEARS SOLE

AND LONE PARENTING responsibility [of parenthood] due to
legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least
[one (1) year] SIX (6) MONTHS, as long as [he/she] THE SOLO
PARENT is entrusted with the custody of children;

XXX

(7) Parent [left solo or alone with the] WHO BEARS SOLO AND
LONE PARENTING responsibility of parenthood due to
abandonment of spouse for at least [one (1) year] SIX (6)
MONTHS;

XXX

(9) Any [other person] LEGAL GUARDIAN, ADOPTIVE OR
FOSTER PARENT who solely provides parental care and support
to a child or children;

XXX

(11) PARENT WHO BEARS SOLO AND LONE PARENTING
RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO DISABILITY OR INCAPACITY OF
THE OTHER SPOUSE TO BE EMPLOYED FOR AT LEAST SIX
(6) MONTHS;

XXX

e) "Flexible work schedule" — is the right granted to a solo parent
employee to vary [his/her] THE arrival and departure time IN
THE OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT without affecting the core work
hours as defined by the employer.”

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

"SEC. 4. Criteria for Support. — Any solo parent whose income in the
place of domicile falls below the poverty threshold as set by the [National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)] NATIONAL STATISTICS
COORDINATION BOARD (NCSB), [and] subject to the assessment of the
[DSWD worker] CITY OR MUNICIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER in the area WHERE THE SOLO PARENTS
RESIDES, shall be eligible 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.

SEC. 5. Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare
Services. - A comprehensive package of social development and welfare
services for solo parents and their families [will] SHALL be developed by the
[DSWD] SECRETARY OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT, IN
COORDINATION WITH THE DOH, [DECS] DEPED, CHED, TESDA, DOLE,
NHA, [and] 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 OF THE PHILIPPINES (NCWP),
UNION OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES (ULAP), [in
coordination with and] local government units, and a non-governmental
organization with proven track record in providing services to solo parents.

XXX"

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

"SEC. 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
[one (1) year] SIX (6) MONTHS.

SEC. 9. Educational Benefits. - The [DECs] 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

SEC. 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-cost housing projects in accordance with housing law
provisions prioritizing applicants below poverty line as declared by the [NEDA]
NSCB."

SECTION 4. New sections to be denominated as Sections 13, 14, 15 and 16
are hereby added to read as follows:

SEC. 13. SOLO PARENT IDENTIFICATION CARD (SPIC). - UPON
APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION OF PROPER DOCUMENTS, AN
IDENTIFICATION CARD APPROVED BY THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE
WHERE THE SOLO PARENT RESIDES, SHALL BE ISSUED TO THE
QUALIFIED SOLO PARENT BY THE CITY OR MUNICIPAL SOCIAL
WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER.

SEC. 14, ADDITIONAL BENEFITS. - A SOLO PARENT SHALL BE
ENTITLED TO THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

A) TEN PERCENT (10%) DISCOUNT ON CHILDREN'S CLOTHING
MATERIALS FOR ALL PURCHASES MADE WITHIN TWO (2) YEARS
FROM THE BIRTH OF THE CHILD OF THE SOLO PARENT;

B) FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) DISCOUNT ON BABY'S MILK, FOOD
AND FOOD SUPPLEMENTS 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


SUPPLEMENTS 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 ASA
BUSINESS EXPENSE SUBJECT TO PROPER RECORDING AND
DOCUMENTATION.

SEC. 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 IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT.
THE COMMITTEE, WHICH SHALL CONSTITUTED WITHIN NINETY (90)
DAYS UPON THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT, SHALL BE COMPOSED OF
THE FOLLOWING:

A) SECRETARY OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT, AS
CHAIRPERSON;

B) SECRETARY OF HEALTH OR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE;

C) SECRETARY OF EDUCATION OR AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE;

D) SECRETARY OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT OR AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE;

E) SECRETARY OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE;

F) SECRETARY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY OR AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE;

G) COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE;

H) CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER
EDUCATION;

I) CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE;
J) CHAIRPERSON OF PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON WOMEN;

K) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY;

L) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY;


M) GENERA
L
AUTHORITY, MANAGER OF THe NATIONAL HousrnG

N) CHAIRPERSo,
FILIPINOS (nemmyer NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM

E OF THE
OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS MEMBERS)” OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

THE COMMITTEE SHALL suB
MIT A REGU!
CONGRESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACTeveRt 2
EARS FOLLOWING ITS EFFECTIVITY. ae

SEC 16. PENALTIES, -~ ANY PERSON,
5 CORPORATION.
AGENCY WHO REFUSES OR FAILS TO PROVIDE THE sDENEISS
GRANTED TO THE SOLO PARENT IN VIOLATION OF THIS ACT SHALL
SUFFER THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES:

1) FOR THE FIRST VIOLATION - A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN TEN
THOUSAND PESOS (P10,000.00) BUT NOT 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 VIOLATIONS - A FINE OF 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,
ORGANIZATION OR ANY SIMILAR ENTITY, THE EMPLOY 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 AUTHORITIES MAY ALSO CAUSE
THE CANCELLATION OR REVOCATION OF THE BUSINESS PERMIT,
PERMIT TO OPERATE, FRANCHISE AND OTHER SIMILAR PRIVILEGES
GRANTED TO ANY BUSINESS ENTITY THAT FAILS TO ABIDE BY THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.

ANY PERSON WHO MISREPRESENTS STATUS OR FALSIFIES ANY
DOCUMENT TO AVAIL OF 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 OF 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 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
Sections 17 and 18 and amended to read as follows:

"SEC. [13] 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - [An interagency
committee headed by] WITHIN NINETY (90) DAYS FROM 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 [is hereby established which shall
formulate, within ninety (90) days upon the effectivity of this Act, the
implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this
Act in consultation with the local government units, non-governmental
organizations and people's organizations.], ISSUE THE NECESSARY RULES
AND REGULATIONS FOR THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS
ACT.

SEC. [14] 18. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the
provisions 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 PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES ON GENDER
AND DEVELOPMENT TO IMPLEMENT THIS ACT.

FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT
REFERS TO PROCESSES UNDERTAKEN BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO
ADDRESS GENDER ISSUES AND TRANSFORM THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC
AND POLITICAL STRUCTURES OF THE SOCIETY TO ACHIEVE GENDER
EQUALITY AND EMPHASIZE THE FUNDAMENTAL ROLE OF WOMEN AS
ACTIVE AGENTS OF DEVELOPMENT AND NOT JUST PASSIVE

RECIPIENTS OF ASSISTANCE."

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

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect (15) days after its complete publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,