Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4206

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. ROBERT ACE S. BARBERS

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
SOLO PARENTS’ WELFARE ACT OF 2000, PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL
BENEFITS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 8972, otherwise known as the “Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of
2000” was enacted to provide benefits and privileges to solo parents and their
children. This is in recognition of the solo parents’ efforts and the sacrifices they
endure in raising and rearing their children.

‘Solo parents often find themselves desperate for resources to support their
children who are left in their custody. Shorn of financial support because of the
absence of a life partner, solo parents find themselves besieged by the burdens of
solo parenting and sustaining the child’s basic needs. Financial problems are more
or less the first problem that most one-parent families face.

To ensure that the law's objectives are attained, the proposed bill seeks to
expand the coverage and benefits of solo parents. Specifically, it provides twenty
percent (20%) discount on tuition and miscellaneous fees, per child, from grade
school to college on any educational institution and state colleges and universities.
Single parents who receive support from the child's other parent, however, are
ineligible to receive this benefit.

It is high time for the government to focus on the real situation and real needs
and concerns of solo parents. The hardships of solo parenting may create other
problems in society such as juvenile delinquency, drug problems and other
‘consequences.

In view of the aforementioned, the passage of this bill is sought.



CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES )
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
First Regular Session .
4206
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. ROBERT ACE S. BARBERS.

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
SOLO PARENTS’ WELFARE ACT OF 2000, PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL
BENEFITS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

‘SECTION 1. Section 9 of the Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 9. Educational Benefits. —
xxx

(3) TWENTY PERCENT (20%) DISCOUNT ON TUITION AND
MISCELLANEOUS FEES FROM GRADE SCHOOL TO COLLEGE, IN ALL
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING STATE UNIVERSITIES AND
COLLEGES, SHALL BE GRANTED TO EVERY CHILD OF QUALIFIED
SCLO PARENTS. PROVIDED THAT, A SINGLE PARENT WHO IS
RECEIVING SUPPORT FROM THE CHILD’S OTHER PARENT SHALL
NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THIS BENEFIT.

KK”

SECTION 2. PENALTIES. - ANY PERSON OR ESTABLISHMENT WHO
VIOLATES
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT BY DENYING OR HINDERING A SOLO
PARENT FROM AVAILING ANY OF THESE BENEFITS SHALL SUFFER
THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES:

(A) FOR THE FIRST VIOLATION, A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN FIFTY
THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) BUT NOT EXCEEDING ONE
HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00);

(B) FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION, IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS
THAN (6) MONTHS BUT NOT MORE THAN SIX (6) YEARS AND A
FINE OF NOT LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS
(P100,000.00) BUT NOT EXCEEDING TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND
PESOS (P200,000.00); AND

(C) ANY PERSON WHO ABUSES THE PRIVILEGES GRANTED HEREIN
SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN
‘SIX (6) MONTHS BUT NOT MORE THAN (6) YEARS, AND A FINE OF
NOT LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) BUT NOT
MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00)


IF THE OFFENDER IS A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP,
ORGANIZATION OR ANY SIMILAR ENTITY, THE OFFICIALS THEREOF
DIERCTLY INVOLVED SUCH AS THE PRESIDENT, GENERAL
MANAGER, MANAGING PARTNER, OR SUCH OTHER OFFICER
CHARGED WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BUSINESS AFFAIRS
SHALL BE LIABLE THEREFOR. IF THE OFFICER OF THE SAID
CORPORATION IS AN ALIEN OR A FOREIGNER, HE/SHE SHALL BE
DEPORTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER SERVICE OF SENTENCE.

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 PERSON, ESTABLISHMENT OR
BUSINESS ENTITY THAT FAILS TO ABIDE BY THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS ACT.”

SECTION 3. Rules and Regulations. — Within a period of not more than sixty (60)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Interagency Committee created by the Act
shall come up with the rules and regulations necessary for the proper implementation
of these amendments, subject to the approval of Congress.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed and modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of this
Act shall be adjudged by any Court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such
judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this Act, but shall be
confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph or part thereof directly
involved.

SECTION 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

Publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation

Approved