© REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED
pared 1 AUG 2016

—s

REGISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

HULU

Republic of the Philippines}
HOUSE OF REPRESENTAT!
Constitution Hills, Quezon Cj

SEVENTEENTH CONG!
First Regular Session

tno. 389

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by
REPS. ARLENE D. BROSAS and EMMI A. DE JESUS (Gabriela Women’s Party),
CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE (Bayan Muna), ANTONIO L, TINIO and FRANCE L.
CASTRO (ACT Teachers Partylist), ARIEL B, CASILAO (Anakpawis Partylist), and
SARAH JANE I. ELAGO (Kabataan Partylist)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is the policy of the State to promote the family as the foundation of the nation, and
in support of this policy, Republic Act No. 8972 or the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of
2000 was enacted to develop a comprehensive program for social welfare and
development of solo parents and their children.

RA 8972 recognizes that solo parents are among the vulnerable members of our
society. They singly bear parental burden and, as such, they have special needs that
vary from psychological and emotional to financial, that must be addressed by the
State. Thus, RA 8972 provides for benefits for qualified solo parents.

According to the 2nd Impact Assessment of Listahan (the Department of Social Welfare
and Development's database), a total of 2 million individuals are solo parents.’ This
data is conservative, considering that not all households are covered by the DSWD's
Listahan. Data consolidated by the DSWD from its Solo Parents’ Survey from the Local
Government Units also show that only 29,219 solo parents in nine (9) regions were
issued with identification cards, and only 21,266 of them have availed of their
entitlements.

Generally, the objective of enacting the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act is to address the
general welfare of the solo parents and their children by providing additional parental
leaves and providing necessary flexible work arrangements for them. However, it failed
to address their financial needs especially in light of increasing prices under steady
wages.

It is also based on this current situation that the state should as: in rearing the
children of solo parents, and intervene by providing necessary aid and relief to the solo
parents. Most pressing is the need for the state to help enable the solo parents provide
their children quality education, adequate and proper health care services, affordable
and quality food, clothing, and medicines.

This bill, while expanding the benefits to deserving solo parents, also strengthens the
safeguards against abuses. It recognizes the markedly different circumstances
between solo parents of affluent background and those who are economically hard up.

* Foderation of Solo Parents in LUZVIMIN ~ United Solo Parents of the Phillippines Solo Parents of the Philippines Position Paper
ibid



IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, there is a need to amend the existing Solo Parents
Welfare Act in order to address this need by way of providing for additional benefits to
the solo parents as well as penalize those who violate the provisions of the Act.

IT IS IN THIS REGARD THAT the passage of this bill is urgently sought.

(ale

. BROSAS. EMMI A. DE JESU:

omen’s Party Gabriela Women’s Party
CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE. ‘NTO! . TINIO
Bayan Muna Partylist ACT Teachers Partylist

Fi L)\casTRO ARIEL B. CASILAO
‘Teachfrs Partylist Anakpawis Partylist

S: /E I. ELAGO
an Partylist,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3398

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by
REPS. ARLENE D. BROSAS and EMMI A. DE JESUS (Gabriela Women’s Party),
CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE (Bayan Muna), ANTONIO L. TINIO and FRANCE L.
CASTRO (ACT Teachers Partylist), ARIEL B. CASILAO (Anakpawis Partylist), and
SARAH JANE I. ELAGO (Kabataan Partylist)

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
SOLO PARENTS' WELFARE ACT OF 2000, BY PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL
BENEFITS AND PENAL PROVISION FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE ACT

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

Section 1. Section 3 of the Act 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. Solo parent” -any individual who falls under any of the following categories:

XXX

12.PARENT LEFT SOLO OR ALONE WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
PARENTHOOD DUE TO THE DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE BY A
LEGALLY OBTAINED DIVORCE.

13.A SINGLE/ANNULLED/DIVORCED PARENTWHO MAY HAVE LATER
LEGALLY MARRIED BUT WHOSE CHILD IS NOT RECEIVING FINANCIAL
SUPPORT FROM THE OTHER PARENT, OR IS NOT LEGALLY ADOPTED
BY THE CURRENT SPOUSE

XXX

Section 2. Section 8 of the Act is likewise 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 WITH PAY every year
shall be granted to any solo parent employee. who-has rendered service of at

Jeast-{one-(1)-year} SIX (6) MONTHS.

Section 3. Additional Sections are hereby created and inserted after Section 11 of RA
8972 to read as follows:

"SECTION 12. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS. - IN ADDITION TO THE FOREGOING
BENEFITS, SOLO PARENTS WHOSE NET ANNUAL INCOME IS P250,000 AND BELOW
AND 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
AND CLOTHING MATERIALS FOR THE CHILD FOR PURCHASES MADE
WITHIN A PERIOD OF UP TO TWELVE (12) YEARS FROM THE CHILD'S
BIRTH;

2. TWENTY PERCENT (20%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PURCHASES OF BABY'S
MILK, FOOD AND FOOD SUPPLEMENTS FOR PURCHASES MADE WITHIN
A PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS FROM THE CHILD'S BIRTH;

3. TWENTY PERCENT (20%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PURCHASES OF
MEDICINES, VACCINES AND OTHER MEDICAL SUPPLEMENTS/ SUPPLIES
FOR THE CHILD FOR PURCHASES MADE WITHIN A PERIOD OF
EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS FROM THE CHILD'S BIRTH; AND

4, TWELVE PERCENT (12%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PURCHASES OF BASIC
NECESSITIES;

5. FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PURCHASES OF SCHOOL
SUPPLIES FOR THE CHILD FOR PURCHASES MADE WITHIN A PERIOD OF
TWENTYONE (21) YEARS FROM THE CHILD'S BIRTH;

6. TEN (10%) PERCENT DISCOUNT FROM SCHOOL TUITION FEES PER
CHILD WHO ARE IN THE COLLEGE LEVEL, BE IT PRIVATE AND PUBLIC
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND OR PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL,

APPLICABLE EXISTING SCHOLARSHIPS;

7. AT LEAST TWENTY PERCENT (20%) DISCOUNT FROM HOSPITAL BILL OF
‘THE SOLO PARENT OR HIS/HER CHILD IF ADMITTED FOR MEDICAL
CARE OR ATTENTION, BE IT PRIVATE OR PUBLIC HOSPITAL;

8. AT LEAST TEN (10 %) DISCOUNT IN CONSULTATION AND LABORATORY
DIAGNOSTIC FEES, AND PURCHASE OF MEDICINES TO SOLO PARENTS
AND THEIR DEPENDENTS.

9, BASIC PERSONAL EXEMPTION FROM INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX IN THE
AMOUNT OF FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 50,000.00) IN ADDITION TO
‘THE EXISTING EXEMPTION THAT THE SINGLE PARENT MAY CLAIM FOR
THEIR DEPENDENT CHILD OR CHILDREN.

10.AT LEAST TWENTY PERCENT (20%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PRIVATE AND
PUBLIC RECREATIONAL FACILITIES PROVIDED ‘THAT THE DISCOUNT
WILL BE AVAILED WHEN THE SOLO PARENT AND THEIR DEPENDENTS
ARE TOGETHER.

COMPANIES OR BUSINESSES FROM WHOM DISCOUNTED PURCHASES IN
THE IMMEDIATELY FOREGOING SECTION ARE MADE SHALL BE ENTITLED
TO CLAIM THE SAID DISCOUNTS AS PART OF THEIR BUSINESS EXPENSE,
PROVIDED THAT, THEY MAINTAIN DETAILED AND SEPARATE RECORDS OF
THE SAID PURCHASES.”

"SECTION 13. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT-
1. ANY SOLO PARENT AS DEFINED BY THE LAW SHALL BE ENTITLED TO

‘THE ISSUANCE OF A SOLO PARENT ID BY THE MUNICIPAL OR CITY
SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER. THE IDENTIFICATION CARD SHALL BE


3.

MADE AVAILABLE NOT MORE THAN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS AFTER FILING
FOR APPLICATION.

ALLOCATE ONE PERCENT (1%) FROM THEIR INTERNAL REVENUE,
ALLOTMENT (IRA) FOR PROGRAMS/SERVICES BENEFITING SOLO
PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN. THESE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, LIVELIHOOD SKILLS TRAINING,
JOB PLACEMENT, SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, LOW-COST HOUSING.

ORGANIZE SOLO PARENTS IN THE PROVINCIAL/ CITY/ MUNICIPAL/
BARANGAY LEVEL.

CREATE SOLO PARENTS AFFAIRS OFFICE IN EVERY PROVINCE,

CITY /MUNICIPALITY TO BE MANNED BY THE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY,
AND TREASURER OF THE ORGANIZED SOLO PARENT ASSOCIATION IN
THE LOCALITY. THIS OFFICE WILL ALSO SERVE AS THE HELP DESK FOR
SOLO PARENTS.

"SECTION 14. PENALTY CLAUSE -

a.

ANY PERSON OR COMPANY WHO VIOLATES THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
ACT BY DENYING OR HINDERING A SOLO PARENT FROM AVAILING OF
ANY OF THE BENEFITS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE PENALIZED BY A FINE OF
NOT LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (PHP50,000.00) FOR THE
FIRST VIOLATION; ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (PHP100,000.00)
FOR THE SECOND VIOLATION; AND TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS
(PHP200,000.00) FOR THE THIRD VIOLATION. IN ADDITION, THE SAID
BUSINESS MAY BE ORDERED CLOSED BY THE APPROPRIATE
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY.

. ANY PERSON WHO MISREPRESENTS HIS OR HER STATUS OR FALSIFIES

ANY DOCUMENT TO AVAIL OF THE BENEFITS OF THIS ACT, OR ANY
PERSON WHO ABUSES THE PRIVILEGES GRANTED, OR ANY PERSON
WHO CONNIVES WITH AFOREMENTIONED VIOLATORS, SHALL BE
PUNISHED WITH A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN TEN THOUSAND PESOS
(PhP10,000) BUT NOT MORE THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (PhP50,000)
AND/OR IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN 6 MONTHS, AT THE
DISCRETION OF THE COURT. IN ADDITION, HE OR SHE SHALL BE
LIABLE FOR ANY TAX INJURY CAUSED TO THE GOVERNMENT
RESULTING FROM WRONGFUL AVAILMENT OF TAX EXEMPTION UNDER
THIS ACT.

ANY LOCAL SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (LSWDO) WHO
SHALL DENY A QUALIFIED SOLO PARENT, THE ISSUANCE OF AN
IDENTIFICATION CARD, OR ANY LSWDO WHO SHALL ABUSE THEIR
AUTHORITY IN ISSUING IDENTIFICATION CARD TO NON-QUALIFIED
INDIVIDUALS SHALL BE HELD ADMINISTRATIVELY LIABLE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH RELEVANT CIVIL SERVICE LAWS/POLICY
GUIDELINES.

“SECTION 15. WITHIN A PERIOD OF NOT MORE THAN THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE
EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT, AN INTER-AGENCY COMMITTEE SHALL BE CREATED
TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE
FUNCTIONS:

Se

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - PROVISION OF FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO
DEMAND CHILD SUPPORT

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (DTI) - PROVISION OF SMALL-
SCALE LIVELIHOOD PROJECTS, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TRAININGS


3. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE-BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE (DOF-BIR) -
REDUCTION OF TAXES FOR WORKING SOLO PARENTS

4. PHILHEALTH- PROVISION OF PHILHEALTH CARD FOR ALL REGISTERED
SOLO PARENTS BELOW POVERTY LINE AND NON-WORKING SOLO PARENTS

5. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT-NATIONAL
BARANGAY OPERATIONS CENTER (DILG-NBOO) - STRENGTHEN THE
MECHANISMS FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO SOLO PARENTS.

a. GIVE MORE RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE BARANGAY, LIKE MAKING IT
MANDATORY FOR THEM TO MAINTAIN AND UPDATE A DATABASE OF
SOLO PARENTS WITH THE REQUIREMENT THAT THEY MAKE A.
QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE LOCAL DSWD ON THE SAME.

b. BARANGAY CLEARANCES ISSUED SHOULD COMPLY WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS OF RA 8972 AND SHOULD NOT BE THE SAME AS PRE-
FORMATTED BARANGAY CLEARANCES ISSUED FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

c. BARANGAYS SHOULD CONVENE THE SOLO PARENTS IN THEIR
JURISDICTION AT LEAST 2X A YEAR. IF THE BENEFITS AND
ASSISTANCE ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE BARANGAY LEVEL, THERE
WOULD BE LESS STRESS AND EFFORT FOR THE SOLO PARENT TO
AVAIL OF THESE.

6. PHILIPPINE STATISTICS OFFICE- TO EXPEDITE SERVICES TO SOLO
PARENTS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS WHO ARE IN NEED OF PUBLIC
DOCUMENTS FOR JUDICIAL AND LEGAL PURPOSES AND TO PROVIDE
TIMELY DOCUMENTATION AND RESEARCH ON SOLO PARENTS.

‘THE INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE SHALL COME UP WITH RULES AND
REGULATIONS NECESSARY FOR THE PROPER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
AMENDMENTS TO THE ACT.

Section 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees. Executive orders, administrative orders
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are thereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

Section 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force
and effect.

Section 6. Effectivity Clause -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
Complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,