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/° RECEIVED

owe FEB 04

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. $026

Introduced by Rep. CESAR V. SARMIENTO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution provides that, “The State recognizes the Filipino family as
the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively
promote its total development.” The family indeed plays a critical role in Philippine
society as it is the primary unit which provides for the physical and emotional needs of
its members, and it is also where values and beliefs are first transmitted and formed.

The typical Filipino family is, by its nature, extended and closely-knit. It is not
unusual in a number of Filipino families that the children who have already graduated
from college and have begun working, or even those who stopped attending school to
find work due to poverty, would eventually become the breadwinners of their families.

In almost all cases nationwide, many of such single individuals function like a
solo parent and bears the most burden in the family. The older children usually support
the schooling of their younger siblings. The unmarried or single children, on the other
hand, more often than not, support their parents especially when the latter are
advancing in age or are in custody of relatives who have been limited by disabilities.
Moreover, some single or unmarried individuals likewise provide financial support to the
children of their siblings, or serve as guardians in cases where their siblings are abroad
or are financially incapable of supporting their own children.

This stark reality behooves us to provide additional benefits and privileges to
single or unmarried individuals with dependents through giving them leave privileges
and a flexible working schedule, both of which will enable them to have more time to
attend to various family matters. This is to recognize their sacrifice and their financial
and moral contribution for the strengthening of the Filipino family.

i i
CESAR V. SARMIENTO

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



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

9026
House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. CESAR V. SARMIENTO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SINGLE PERSONS AND
THEIR DEPENDENTS APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Single Persons’ Welfare Act.”

SEC. 2. — Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to promote the family as
the foundation of the nation, to strengthen its solidarity, and to ensure its total
development. Towards this end, the State shall develop a comprehensive program of
services for single persons and their dependents to be carried out by pertinent
government and non-government agencies.

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

(a) “Single Person" — refers to any individual who is not legally married, or to anyone
who was previously married but whose marriage was subsequently annulled or declared
void ab initio, and who exercises custody on or financially supports or aids someone not
his or her child.

Any change in the status or circumstance of the single person claiming the benefits and
privileges under this Act, such that he or she has contracted a valid marriage, shall
terminate his or her eligibility for the said benefits and privileges.

(b) “Dependent” - refers to any person whose support and maintenance is
contingent upon the aid of the single person such as the latter's minor siblings, minor
nephews or nieces, unemployed parents and ascendants and relatives up to the 4"
degree of consanguinity who have disabilities.

1


SEC. 4. Scope. — This Act shall be applicable to all single persons who has a
dependent as defined herein, except to those single persons who fall under the
coverage of Republic Act No. 8972 or the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000.

SEC. 5. Leave. — In addition to the leave privileges under existing laws, the leave of not
more than three (3) days every year shall be granted to any single person employee
who has a dependent and who has rendered service of at least one (1) year.

SEC. 6. Flexible Work Schedule. — The employer shall endeavor to provide a flexible
working schedule and other considerations for single employees upon determination
that such single persons have dependents or function as the provider or head of the
family: Provided, That the same shall not affect individual and company productivity:
Provided, further, That any employer may request an exemption from the above
requirements from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on certain
meritorious grounds.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOLE, in coordination with
concerned agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations within sixty days (60) from the effectivity of this Act. The said IRR shall
include the procedures to determine the qualifications of persons covered by this Act.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, administrative orders
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. 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.

SEC. 10. 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,