House Baixo. 3394
Introduced by Honorable Carol Jayne B. Lopez

Article Il of the 1987 Constitution cannot be more equivocal when it
recognized the sanctity of family life and declared it a state policy to protect and
strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It further
decreed that the government shall support the natural and primary right and
duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the
development of moral character. The State cannot however close its eyes to the
harsh reality that not every Filipino family is as complete and normal as the
others, which circumstance led to the enactment of Republic Act No. 8972,
otherwise known as the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000.

The law has laudable purposes. The fact however is that it may still be
improved on, to reflect the changing times and to better address the specific
needs of solo parents.

It is thus the intent and import of this Bill to amend the Solo Parents
Welfare Act of 2000 by providing for additional criterion to be considered as a
solo parent, provide discounts for certain purchases made by solo parents and

It is thus sought that the attached bill be approved.

CAROL JAYNE B. LOPEZ
arty-list, YACAP


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
15T Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.__ 83914

Introduced by Honorable Carol Jayne B. Lopez

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE SOLO PARENTS
WELFARE ACT OF 2000
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives 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 after sub-section 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:

XX

(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.”

Section 2. The same law is hereby amended by adding a new section
which shall read as follows:

“Section 13. 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 which shall entitle the holder
thereof to the following discounts:

(A) Twenty (20%) percent discount on all purchases of milk or formula
products as well as diapers and other necessary infant items;
(B) Twenty (20%) percent discount on infant medicines and supplements.

Infant shall refer to children aged 0- to 4 years.”


Section 3. The same law is hereby amended by adding a new section
which shall read as follows:

“Section 13. “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 imprisonment 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 granted 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) the violator is a coporation, organisation or any similar entity,
the offciais and employees thereof directly involved shall be
individually therefor.

(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 cancellation or
revocation of the business permit, permit to operate, franchise and
other similar privileges granted to any business entity that fails to
abide by the provisions of this Act.”

Section 4. Implementing Rules — 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.

Section 5. Repealing Clause. 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.

Section 6. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared
invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall
remain in force and in effect.

Section 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.