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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS %e ieee wy

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 5820

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
DECLARING MARCH 21 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL
SOLO PARENTS' DAY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution states that “The natural and
primary right and duty of the parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and
the development of moral character shall receive the support of the Government.”

As defined, a solo parent is an individual who assumes the sole responsibility
of raising a child or children. In the Philippines, they account for at least 14 to 15
percent or about 15 million of the total population, in which 95 percent are women.

‘Thus, it is imperative for the State to recognize the efforts and sacrifices of solo
parents in fulfilling their dual responsibility of being a father and a mother to their
children.

Solo Parent’s Day was on in 1984 in an article written by a divorced mother of
two, Janice Moglen, in the hope that one day, solo parents can gain the same recognition
as Mother's and Father's Day.

This Bill seeks to initiate the observance of the National Solo Parents Day in the
Philippines to acknowledge their dedication in raising the future generation and to
advance their rights, as stated in Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000 or Republic Act 8972.
It also aims to increase the awareness and generate support for solo parents.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this Bill is sought.

VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Mletes Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 5820

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
DECLARING MARCH 21 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL
SOLO PARENTS' DAY

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "National Solo Parents' Day Act."

SECTION 2. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to recognize the
essential role of single parents in strengthening family solidarity and in the
rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character.

The State shall likewise advance the rights of solo parents and the collective
wellbeing of their families through the annual observance of the National Day of
Solo Parents in the Philippines.

SECTION 3. The 21% day of March of every year is hereby declared as "National
Solo Parents’ Day."

SECTION 4. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the
Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher
Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the
Department of Labor and Employment, the National Housing Authority, and the
Department of the Interior and Local Government shall initiate the holding of
appropriate activities in celebration of National Solo Parents’ Day, including:


(a) Information drive on laws, rules, and regulation that provides for the
rights of solo parents;

(b) Awareness seminars regarding the benefits and privileges (work,
educational, housing, medical) provided by the government to solo
parents; and

(c) Other activities as deemed necessary by the Department concerned.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,