EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)))
SENATE
°{,,;r
•19 J'JL -2 All •■54
S. No.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
AMENDING 
REPUBLIC ACT 8972 
OTHERWISE 
KNOWN 
AS THE 
ACT 
PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SOLO PARENTS AND THEIR 
CHILDREN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Raising a child is daunting, but raising a child alone carries a specific set of 
challenges and difficulties. In 2015, the Philippine Statistics Authority estimated that 
there were about three million solo parents — two million of whom were female. The 
Federation of Solo Parents has a member base of 80,000.
While significant inroads have been made by virtue of Republic Act No. 8972 or 
the Solo Parents' Welfare Act, there are still many things that need to be done and 
many reforms that can still be undertaken to alleviate the plight of solo parents, and to 
mitigate the disadvantages that children in solo parent households have to live with.
This bill introduces many innovations:
• 
It expands the definition of solo parents, notably to include spouses of 
low and semiskilled overseas Filipino workers, who are away from the 
Philippines for an unbroken period of one (1) year;
• 
It provides discounts to solo parents and their children for medical, 
educational and other basic needs, including tuition fees, as well as 
discounts on recreational activities;
• 
It provides for the creation of a Solo Parents Affairs Office in local 
government units;
• 
It mandates the creation of daycare facilities in companies with more 
than 100 employees.
The passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RISA HONTIVEROS V 
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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)
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SENATE
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0( I'
'19 JUL -2 All 54
S. No.
RECt.v D f.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 8972 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ACT 
PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SOLO PARENTS AND 
THEIR CHILDREN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. 
Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "EXPANDED Solo
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Parents' Welfare Act of 2019."
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Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. — It is the policy of the State to promote the
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family as the foundation of the nation, strengthen its solidarity and ensure its total
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development. It is also the obligation of the State to adhere to international
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agreements and national laws on families. Towards this end, it shall develop a
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comprehensive package of social protection services for solo parents and their
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children to be carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
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(DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Justice (DOJ) the
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Department of Education (DEPED), the Department of the Interior and Local
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Government (DILG), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical
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Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the National Housing Authority
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(NHA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Trade
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and Industry (DTI), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Civil Service
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Commission (CSC), the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the
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Philippine 
Commission 
on 
Women 
(PCW), 
the 
Philippine 
Health 
Insurance
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Corporation (PHILHEALTH), the Union of Local Authorities (ULAP), and other
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concerned government agencies and civil society organizations with recognized
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credentials in providing services and advocacy for solo parents.


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Sec. 3. Definitions o f 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;
a. A female who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes 
against persons even without a final conviction of the offender; 
provided, that the mother has the custody of the child or 
children and bears the sole parental responsibility;
b. Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood 
due the following circumstances;
i. Death of the spouse;
ii. Spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal 
conviction;
iii. Physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified 
by a public or private medical practitioner;
iv. Legal separation or de facto separation from spouse;
V. Declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as 
decreed by [a] the court recognized by law;
Vi. Abandonment of spouse for at least six (6) months;
c. Actual custody, support, care and exercising sole parental 
authority over his or her child or children instead of having 
others care for them or give them up to a welfare institution;
d. Spouse of an overseas Filipino worker, provided that the said 
OFW belongs to the low/semi-skilled worker category and is 
away from the Philippines for an unbroken period of twelve (12) 
months;
e. Any other person who bears sole parental responsibility over a 
child or children, including a foster parent duly-recognized by 
the DSWD, a legal guardian appointed by the court or a legal 
single adoptive parent;
f. Any family member who bears sole parental responsibility as a 
result of the death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged 
absence of the parent/s. In cases of grandparents who are 
senior citizens who have the sole parental responsibility over 
their minor or physical or mentally incapacitated children or 
grandchildren, they shall be entitled to the benefits of this act in


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addition to the benefits granted to them by the expanded senior 
citizens act of 2003;
A change in the status or circumstance of the parent or 
qualified family member or guardian claiming benefits under 
this Act, such that he/she is no longer left alone with the 
responsibility of parenthood, shall terminate his/her eligibility 
for these benefits.
b) "Children or dependents" - Refer to those living with and dependent 
upon the solo parent for support who are unmarried, unemployed and 
not more than twenty one (21) years of age, or even over twenty one 
(21) years but are incapable of self-support because of mental and/or 
physical defect/disability.
c) "Parental responsibility" - With respect to their minor children shall 
refer to the rights and duties of the parents as defined in Article 220 
of Executive Order No. 209, as amended, otherwise known as the 
"Family Code of the Philippines."
d) "Parental leave" - Shall mean leave benefits granted to a solo parent to 
enable him/her to perform parental duties and responsibilities where 
physical presence is required. All solo parents working in the 
government or private sector shall be qualified to a seven-day parental 
leave with pay.
e) "Flexible work schedule" - Is the right granted to a solo parent 
employee to vary his/her arrival and departure time without affecting 
the core work hours as defined by the employer.
f) Basic necessities - Refer to rice, corn, bread, fresh, dried and canned 
fish and other marine products, fresh pork, beef and poultry, meat, 
fresh eggs, fresh and processed milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, 
coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergents, sanitary 
napkins, diapers, and drugs classified as essential by the DOH and 
other commodities as maybe classified by the DTI and the DA 
according to Republic Act no. 7581 or The Price Act.
Sec. 4. Criteria for Additionai Financial Assistance. -  Any solo parent whose 
income in the place of residence falls below the poverty threshold as set by the 
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and subject to the assessment of the Local Social 
Welfare and Development.


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Officer in the area where the solo parent resides shall be eligible for additional 
financial assistance reserved for the poor and indigent solo parents as determined by 
the proper government agencies. Provided, that any solo parent, regardless of the 
income bracket or financial status shall enjoy the benefits under this act.
Sec. 
5. 
Comprehensive Package o f Soda! Protection Services. 
-  A 
comprehensive package of social PROTECTION services for solo parents and their 
families SHALL be developed by the DSWD, DOH, DEPED, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA, 
DOJ, DTI, BIR, CSC, NEDA, PCW, PHILHEALTH, ULAP, DILG, and Other concerned 
government agencies and civil society organization with recognized credentials in 
providing services to solo parents.
The DSWD shall coordinate with concerned agencies the implementation of the 
comprehensive package of social protection services for solo parents and their 
families. The package will initially include:
a) Livelihood development services which include trainings on livelihood 
skills, basic business management, value orientation and the provision 
of seed capital or job placement;
b) Counseling services which include individual, peer group or family 
counseling. This will focus on the resolution of personal relationship and 
role conflicts;
c) Parent effectiveness services which include the provision and expansion 
of knowledge and skills of the solo parent on early childhood 
development, behavior management, health care, rights and duties of 
parents and children;
d) Critical incidence stress debriefing which includes preventive stress 
management strategy designed to assist solo parents in coping with 
crisis situations and cases of abuse;
e) Special projects for individuals in need of protection which include 
temporary shelter, counseling, legal assistance, medical care, self- 
concept or ego-building, crisis management and spiritual enrichment; 
and
f) Legal advice and assistance.
Sec. 6. Flexible Work Schedule. -  The employer shall provide for a flexible 
working schedule for solo parents: Provided, That the same shall not affect individual 
and company productivity: Provided, further, that any employer may request


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exemption from the above requirements 
from the DOLE on certain meritorious 
grounds.
Sec. 7. Work Discrimination. -  No employer shall discriminate against any solo 
parent employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment on account of 
his/her status.
Sec. 8. Parental Leave. -  In addition to leave privileges under existing laws, 
parental leave of not more than seven (7) working days every year shall be granted 
to any solo parent employee who has rendered service of at least six (6) months. 
This benefit may be availed in both the private or government sector, regardless of 
employment status.
Sec. 9. Educational Benefits. -  The DEPED, CHED and TESDA shall provide the 
following benefits and privileges:
a) Scholarship and/ or grants for qualified solo parents and their children 
in institutions of basic, higher and technical/ vocational educational 
and training; and
b) Nonformal education programs appropriate for solo parents and their 
children.
The DEPED, CHED and TESDA shall promulgate rules and regulations for the proper 
implementation of this program.
Sec. 10. Housing Benefits. -  Solo parents shall be given allocation in housing 
projects and shall be provided with liberal terms of payment on said government low- 
cost housing 
projects in accordance with housing law provisions prioritizing 
applicants below the poverty line as declared by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Sec. 11. Medical Assistance. -  The DOH shall develop a comprehensive health 
care program for solo parents and their children. The program shall be implemented 
by the DOH through their retained hospitals and medical centers and the local 
government units (LGUs) through their provincial/district/city/municipal hospitals and 
rural health units (RHUs).
Sec. 12. Additional Powers and Functions o f the DSWD. -  The DSWD shall 
perform the following additional powers and functions relative to the welfare of solo 
parents and their families:
a) Conduct research necessary to: (1) develop a new body of knowledge 
on solo parents; (2) define executive and legislative measures needed 
to promote and protect the interest of solo parents and their children; 
and 
(3) 
assess 
the 
effectiveness 
of programs 
designed 
for


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disadvantaged solo parents and their children;
b) Coordinate 
the 
activities 
of 
various 
governmental 
and 
nongovernmental organizations engaged in promoting and protecting 
the interests of solo parents and children; and
c) Monitor the implementation of the provisions of this Act and suggest 
mechanisms by which such provisions are effectively implemented.
Sec. 13. Sob Parent Identirication Card (SPIQ. -  The Local Social Welfare and 
Development Office (LSWDO) shall issue the solo parent identification card upon the 
presentation of the applicant of the following documents;
a) Barangay certification certifying that the solo parent is a resident of 
the barangay for the last six (6) months preceding the application;
b) Certification from the relevant government agency or court as proof 
of birth of child/children, death of parents or spouse, decree of 
annulment, declaration of nullity, or legal separation, or any form of 
dissolution of marriage, status as overseas Filipino worker, and other 
documentary support to attest the circumstances that qualifies the 
applicant as a solo parent;
The SPIC shall be issued within thirty (30) days from application thereof and shall be 
valid for one (1) year upon issuance subject to renewal.
Sec. 14. Additional Benefits. -  A solo parent shall be entitled to the following 
additional benefits:
a) Twenty (20) percent discount from all purchases of infant formula, 
food, food supplements and sanitary diapers for purchases made 
from child's birth until three (3) years of age, provided that the 
discount on infant formula can only be availed of when the solo 
parent is not the mother;
b) Twenty (20) percent discount from all purchases of medicines, 
vaccines and other medical supplements, supplies, accessories and 
equipment for the child, as prescribed by a licensed medical 
practitioner, for purchases made from the child’s birth until eighteen 
(18) years of age;
c) Twenty (20) percent discount from all purchases of the child's basic 
necessities;
d) Twenty (20) percent discount from tuition fees per child from 
kindergarten to college level in both private and public colleges and


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universities and schools, on top of any scholarship grants if any;
e) Twenty (20) percent discount from hospital bill of the solo parent's 
child if admitted for medical care and attention, both in private and 
public hospitals;
f) Tax amnesty and/ or reduction of real estate or inheritance taxes of 
solo parents;
g) Twenty (20) 
percent discount on consultation and 
laboratory 
diagnostic fees and purchase of medicines for solo parents and their 
children;
h) Basic personal exemption from individual income tax in the amount of 
fifty thousand pesos (p50,000.00) in addition to the existing 
exemption that the solo parent may claim for their children;
i) Twenty (20) percent discount from all private and public recreational 
facilities, provided that the discount can only be availed when the 
solo parent and children are together. Companies and business 
establishments where the said discounts were availed, shall be 
entitled to claim said discounts as part of their business expense, 
provided that they maintain a detailed and separate records of the 
discounted purchases.
Sec. 15. Creation o f the Solo Parents' Special Inter-Agency Review Committee 
and Task Force. -  An inter-agency committee shall be created to coordinate and 
monitor the implementation of this act. The committee shall be comprised of the 
following agencies:
a. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as chair;
b. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as co-chair;
c. Department of Health (DOH);
d. Department of Justice (DOJ);
e. Department of Education (DEPED);
f. Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
g. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA);
h. National Housing Authority (NHA); 8 I) Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE);
i. 
Bureau of Internal Revenues (BIR);
j. 
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH);
k. At least two (2) non-government or civil society organization with


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proven credentials in advocating for the rights and welfare, as well as 
providing services to solo parents.
This committee shall submit an annual report to the congress on the status of 
implementation of this act, following its effectivity.
Sec. 16. Solo Parents Affairs Office. -  A solo parent affairs office shall be 
established in every local government unit. In line with this requirement, a Solo 
Parents help desk shall be placed in every barangay for the immediate assistance of 
solo parents and their children.
Sec. 17. National Soto Parents Day And Week. -  To commemorate the role and 
significance of every solo parent in the Philippines, solo parents week shall be every 
third (3rd) week of April and the National Solo Parents day shall be every third (3rd) 
Saturday of April of every year.
Sec. 18. Penalties. -  Any person, corporation, entity or agency which refuses 
or fails to provide the benefits granted to Solo Parents in violation of this act, or 
discriminates against solo parents in employment hiring, shall suffer the following 
penalties:
a) For the first violation - A fine of not less than ten thousand pesos (P 
10,000.00) but not more than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) or 
imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than one 
(1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court.
b) For any subsequent violation - A fine of not less than one hundred 
thousand pesos (P I0 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 ) but not more than two hundred 
thousand pesos (P200,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than one 
(1) year but not more than two (2) years, or both, at the discretion of 
the court, any person who misinterprets the status or falsifies any 
document to avail of the benefits provided under this act or any person 
who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with a fine 
not less than ten thousand pesos (P 10,000.00) but not more than fifty 
thousand pesos (P50,000.00) and imprisonment of not less than six (6) 
months.
If the offender is a corporation, partnership or organization or any similar entity, the 
employees and officials therefore directly involved shall individually be held liable 
therefore. 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 cancellation or revocation of the business permit,
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permit to operate, franchise and other similar privileges granted to any business that 
fails to abide by the provision of this act.
Upon finding by the solo parents' special review committee that a department, 
agency or instrumentality of the government, a Government-Owned or Controlled 
Corporation (GOCC) or a Local Government Unit had violated any provision of this 
act, sanctions under the administrative law, civil service or other laws may be 
recommended to the CSC or the DILG against the head of the agency or the local 
chief executive and the person directly responsible for the violation.
Any person who claims to be a solo parent for the purpose of availment of the 
benefits under this act, with intent to defraud shall be penalized with a fine of not 
less than ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than fifty thousand pesos 
(P50,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than one 
(1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court.
Sec. 19. Daycare Facilities. -  Government agencies and private companies 
with one hundred (100) or more employees shall provide daycare facilities within the 
premises for children aged five and below of its employees, handled by qualified and 
competent personnel with proven experience in child care, provided that these 
facilities shall also be made available to children aged ten years old and below of solo 
parents.
Sec. 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within ninety (90) days upon 
the effectivity of this act, the DSWD, in consultation and coordination with the 
members of the Solo Parents' special review committee, shall issue the necessary 
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
Sec. 21. Appropriations. -  The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act shall be included in the budget of the concerned government agencies in 
the General Appropriations Act (GAA). Government agencies may also utilize a 
portion of their 31 respective gender and development (gad) budget to implement 
this act anchored on the guidelines issued by the DBM, NEDA, and PCW.
Sec. 22. 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. 23. 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. 24. Effectivity Clause. -  This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the official gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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