Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4040

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative FERDINAND L. HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 8972 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE SOLO
PARENTS WELFARE ACT OF 2000, PROVIDING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘As mandated by the Philippine Constitution, it is a must to protect and
promote the family as the foundation of the nation. There is a need to continuously
assess and calibrate existing policies to adapt to the current needs of families.

Republic Act No. 8972 also known as the “Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000”
provides benefits and privileges to solo parents and their children. This bill seeks to
amend the existing law and introduce necessary adjustments and additions to the
benefits given to solo parents.

‘The amendments contained in this bill seeks to add several additional benefits
to solo parents, such as discounts on the fundamental needs of their children
namely: (1) purchase of clothing and clothing and clothing materials for the child
made within a period of up to two years from the child’s birth, (2) purchase of
baby’s milk, food and food supplements made within a period of up to two years
from the child’s birth, (3) purchase of medicine and other medical
supplements/supplies for the child made within a period of up to five years from the
child's birth, (4) purchase of school supplies for the child, for purchases made from
the child's birth until twenty-one years of age, and (5) tuition fee discount from
public and private schools for the child or children from grade school to college.

Solo parents will also be eligible for tax amnesty and a basic personal
exemption from individual income tax amounting to fifty thousand pesos
(P50,000.00) in addition to the existing exemption that the single parent may claim
for his/her dependent child or children.


The issuance of the Solo Parent Identification Card (SPIC) will also help to
easily recognize solo parents and ensure that these benefits will be given to them. In
the event that there is a refusal or failure in providing the benefits to solo parents,
there is a specific provision imposing penalties on any person, corporation, entity or
agency in violation of this act.

These proposed amendments are submitted to give assistance and steadfast

support to our Solo Parents who independently and courageously provide for their
children.

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

FERDINAND L. H EZ



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4040

Introduced by Representative FERDINAND L. HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 8972 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE SOLO
PARENTS WELFARE ACT OF 2000, PROVIDING 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 3 of the Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 3. Definition of Terms. - Whenever used in this Act, the following terms
shall mean as follows;

(2) "Solo parent” - any individual who falls under any of the following categories;
(1) A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against
chastity, even without a final conviction of the offender; Provided, that the
mother keeps and raises the child;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due death of
spouse;

(3) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood while spouse
is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one
(1) year;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to
physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical
practitioner;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to legal
separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least fene-4}-year}
SIX (6) MONTHS, provided he/she is entrusted with the custody of the
children;

(2

(4)

(


(6) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to
declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as decreed by a court or by
a church, provided he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children;

(7) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to
abandonment of spouse for at least fene-(+}-year} SIX (6) MONTHS;

(8) Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep and rear his/her
child/children; who has actual custody of the said child/children, instead of
having others care for them or giving them up to a welfare institution;

(9) Any other person who fselely-prevides-parental-eare-and-suppert-te-a-child
or-children] BEARS SOLE PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY A CHILD OR
CHILDREN, INCLUDING A FOSTER PARENT DULY-RECOGNIZED
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT, A
LEGAL GUARDIAN APPOINTED BY THE COURT OR A LEGAL SINGLE
ADOPTIVE PARENT; and

(10) Any family member who assumes the responsibility as the head of the
family resulting from the death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged
absence of the parents or solo parent

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.

(b) "Children" - refer to those living with and dependent upon the solo parent for
support who are unmarried, unemployed and not more than eighteen (18) years
of age, or even over eighteen (18) 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."

(@) "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.

(@) “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.

SECTION 2. There shall also be created and inserted Section 4-A to read as
follows:

“SECTION 4-A. SOLO PARENT IDENTIFICATION CARD (SPIC). — 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:


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(b) BARANGAY CERTIFICATION CERTIFYING THAT THE SOLO PARENT IS
A RESIDENT OF THE BARANGAY FOR THE LAST SIX (6) MONTHS
PRECEDING THE APPLICATION;

(c) BARANGAY CERTIFICATION OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT QUALIFIES
THE APPLICANT AS A SOLO PARENT AS REQIRED BY THIS ACT

(d) CERTIFICATION FROM THE PROPER GOVERNMENT AGENCY AS PROOF
OF BIRTH OF CHILD/CHILDREN, DEATH OF PARENTS OR SPOUSE AND
OTHER DOCUMENTARY SUPPORT TO ATTEST THE CIRCUMSTANCES
THAT QUALIFIES THE APPLICANT AS A SOLO PARENT;

(e) INCOME TAX RETURN OR ANY EQUIVALENT DOCUMENT THAT
ESTABLISHES THE INCOME OR FINANCIAL STATUS OF THE SOLO
PARENT APPLICANT

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.”

SECTION 3. 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
be granted to any solo parent employee regardless of employment status who has
rendered service of at least fene-{4)-year} SIX (6) MONTHS.”

SECTION 4. There shall be created and inserted Section 12-A of the Act to read as
follows:

“SECTION 12-1. 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) TWENTY PERCENT (20%) 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) TWENTY PERCENT (20%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PURCHASES
OF BABY'S MILK, FOOF AND FOOD SUPPLEMENTS MADE
WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWO (2) YEARS FROM THE CHILD'S
BIRTH;

(3) TWENTY PERCENT (20%) 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;

(4) TWENTY PERCENT (20%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PURCHASES
OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR THE CHILD, FOR PURCHASES


MADE FROM THE CHILD’S BIRTH UNTIL TWENTY ONE (21)
YEARS OF AGE;

(5) TAX AMNESTY AND/ OR REDUCTION OF REAL ESTATE OR
INHERITANCE TAXES OF SOLO PARENTS;

(6) BASIC PERSONAL EXEMPTION FROM INDIVIDUAL INCOME
TAX IN THE AMOUNT OF FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS
(PHP50,000) IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING EXEMPTION
THAT THE SINGLE PARENT MAY CLAIM FOR HIS/HER
DEPENDENT CHILD OR CHILDREN; AND

(7) TEN PERCENT (10%) TUITION FEE DISCOUNT FROM
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS FOR THE CHILD OR
CHILDREN FROM GRADE SCHOOL TO COLLEGE.

COMPANIES OR BUSINESSES FROM WHOM DISCOUNTED PURCHASES ARE
MADE AS PER THE IMMEDIATELY FOREGOING SECTION SHALL BE
ENTITLED TO CLAIM THE SAID DISCOUNTS AS PART OF THEIR BUSINESS
EXPENSE, PROVIDED THAT, THEY MAINTAIN DETAILED AND SEPARATE
RECORDS OF SAID PURCHASES.

SECTION 5. There shall also be created and inserted Section 13-A to read as
follows:

“SECTION 13-A. PENALTIES — ANY PERSON, CORPORATION, ENTITY OR
AGENCY WHICH REFUSES OR FAILS TO PROVIDE THE BENEFITS GRANTED
TO SOLO PARENTS IN VIOLATION OF THIS ACT SHALL SUFFER THE
FOLLOWING PENALTIES:

(1) FOR THE FIRST VIOLATION - 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.

FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION - A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN
ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00) 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
(P10,000.00) BUT NOT MORE THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS
(P50,000.00) AND IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN SIX (6) MONTHS.

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IF THE OFFENDER IS A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP OR ORGANIZATION
OR ANY SIMILAR ENTITY, 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, PERMIT TO
OPERATE, FRANCHISE AND OTHER SIMILAR PRIVILEGES GRANTED TO
ANY BUSINESS THAT FAILS TO ABIDE BY THE PROVISION OF THIS ACT.

UPON FINDING OF THE INTERAGENCY 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.”

SECTION 6. Rules and Regulations of the Interagency Committee. 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 the amendments to the
same.

‘SECTION 7. 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.

SECTION 8. 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.

SECTION 9. 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,