Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No._7237

Introduced by Representative Evelina Escudero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act 8972 otherwise known as the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000,
recognizes the legal concept or Family from the traditional definition to that of the
present which contemplates a family constituted by a single individual.

It amends Republic Act 8972 otherwise known as the Solo Parents Welfare Act of
2000 by providing additional support and benefits to solo parents, such as but not
limited to discounts from purchases of baby's milk, food and food supplements, clothing
and medical supplies.

This bill is being filed not only to lessen the burden of solo parenting but to ensure
as well that their children are given the opportunity for a better future.

This proposal may have its effects on businesses, employment and other economic
activities, nonetheless, it is still worthy of submission for evaluation and deliberation
as all stakeholders may be able to strike a balance between profitability and social

responsibility.

EVELINA ESCUDERO

In view of the foregoing, this bill is submitted.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS,
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7237
Introduced by Representative Evelina Escudero

AN ACT TO FURTHER EXTEND ASSISTANCE TO SOLO PARENTS.
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972 OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT OF 2000

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

SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8972 otherwise known as the Solo Parents
Welfare Act of 2000 is hereby amended by adding the following definition the after
subsection 10 of Section 3. 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

(11). PARENT LEFT SOLO OR ALONE WITH THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTHOOD DUE TO THE
INVOLUNTARY INABILITY OF THE OTHER SPOUSE TO
HAVE AN EMPLOYMENT FOR AT LEAST ONE (1) YEAR.

A change in the status or circumstance of the parent claiming benefits
under this Act, such that he/ she is no longer left alone with the sole
responsibility of parenthood, shall terminate his/her eligibility for these
benefits. Said benefits shall seize to be available by the end or the year when
the parent was last deemed a solo parent as defined by this act PROVIDED,
THAT, A SINGLE PARENT WHO IS RECEIVING SUPPORT
FROM THE CHILD'S OTHER PARENT SHALL NOT BE


SEC. 2.

SEC. 3.

SEC. 4.
follows:

SEC. 5.
follows:

ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE BENEFITS UNDER SECTION 12-A OF
THE ACT.

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 he granted to ally solo parent employee who has rendered
service of at least one (1) year.”

There shall be created and inserted a new section to read as follows:

"SECTION 13. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS. - IN ADDITION

TO THE FOREGOING BENEFITS, SOLO PARENTS 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 MADE
WITHIN A PERIOD OF UP TO TWO (2) YEARS FROM THE CHILD'S
BIRTH;

(2) FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PURCHASES,
OF BABY'S MILK, FOOD AND FOOD SUPPLEMENTS MADE
WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWO (2) YEARS FROM THE CHILD'S
BIRTH; AND

(3) FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PURCHASES
OF MEDICINES AND OTHER MEDICAL SUPPLEMENTS/
SUPPLIES FOR THE CHILD MADE WITHIN A PERIOD OF

FIVE (5) YEARS FROM THE CHILD'S BIRTH.

‘The same law is hereby amended by adding a new section which shall read as

"SECTION 14. SOLO PARENTS ID.- ANY SOLO PARENT AS
DEFINED BY LAW AND ITS AMENDATORY PROVISIONS SHALL
BE ENTITLED TO THE ISSUANCE OF A SOLO PARENT ID BY
THE MUNICIPAL OR CITY SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER.

The same law is hereby amended by adding a new section which shall read as

"SECTION 15, PENAL PROVISIONS. - ANY EMPLOYER WHO
FAILS TO PROVIDE THE BENEFITS MENTIONED IN SECTIONS


6,7,8,13 OF THIS ACT SHALL SUFFER THE FOLLOWING
PENALTY:

(1) FINE OF NOT LESS THAN TEN THOUSAND PESOS,
(P10,000.00) BUT NOT EXCEEDING FIFTY THOUSAND

PESOS (P50,000.00) OR IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN
SIX MONTHS BUT NOT MORE THAN ONE YEAR, OR BOTH AT
THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT.

(2) FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION, A FINE OF NOT LESS
THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00) BUT
NOT EXCEEDING TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS
(P200.000.00) OR IMPRISONMENI FOR NOT LESS THAN ONE
YEAR BUT NOT MORE THAN TWO YEARS, OR BOTH AT THE
DISCRETION OF THE COURT.

(3) ANY PERSON WHO ABUSES THE PRIVILEGES HEREIN.
SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH IMPRISONMENT OF NOT
LESS THAN SIX MONTHS OR A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN,
FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00) BUT NOT MORE THAN
FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00), OR BOTH AT

THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT.

(4) IF THE VIOLATOR IS A CORPORATION, ORGANIZATION,
OR ANY SIMILAR ENTITY, THE OFFICIALS AND
EMPLOYEES THEREOF DIRECTLY INVOLVED SHALL BE
INDIVIDUALLY LIABLE THEREFORE.

(5) IF THE VIOLATOR IS AN ALIEN OR A FOREIGNER, HE
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 REVOCATION OR
CANCELLATION OF THE BUSINESS PERMIT, PERMIT TO
OPERATE, FRANCHISE AND OTHER SIMILAR PRIVILEGES
GRANTED TO ANY BUSINESSES THAI FAILS TO ABIDE BY
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT"

Provided that with the introduction of new sections, Republic Act 8972 is
hereby renumbered accordingly.

SEC. 6. The inter-agency committee created under Republic Act 8972 shall formulate
the rules to implement this Act in consultation with other government agencies and
private organizations.


SEC. 7. All Acts or parts of Acts, executive orders and their implementing rules
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 8, Ifany provision of this Act is declared invalid, the remainder of this Act or any
provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and in effect.

SEC. 9. This Act takes effect fifteen days after its complete publication in the Official
Gazete or in two (2) newspapers or general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,