Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No._7213

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this representation
respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving support from the past
and present (Rep. Rosenda Ann Ocampo’s HB00388, Rep. Benhur Lopez Jr.’s
HB00878, Rep. Lawrence Fortun’s HB00972, and Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s
HBO1520, among others) congress.

Republic Act No. 8972, otherwise known as the Solo Parent’s Welfare Act, was
enacted to provide benefits and privileges to solo parents and their children. Despite
the milestones brought about by the aforementioned piece of legislation, there is an
urgent need to update and expand the coverage and benefits given to solo parents. The
proposed legislation also introduces measures (e.g. reduction of the waiting period for
which a person can be qualified as a solo parent) to further ease the difficulties
experienced by a solo parent.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

JOHN VIN YYUL SERVO” NIETO.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bilt No._ 213

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto

AN ACT GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO SOLO PARENTS
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE "SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT OF 2000"

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

SECTION 1. Sections 2 and 3 of Republic Act No. 8972 hereby amended to
read as follows:

"SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State to
promote the family as the foundation of the nation, strengthen its solidarity
and ensure its total development. Towards this end, it shall develop a
comprehensive program of services for solo parents and their children to be
carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
the Department of Health (DOH), the [Department of Education, Culture and
Sports (DECS)]} DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED), the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Department
of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other related government and non—
government agencies.

SEC. 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:

(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
AND BEARS SOLO AND LONE PARENTING
RESPONSIBILITY;

XXX

(3) Parent [left solo or alone with the] WHO BEARS SOLE
AND LONE PARENTING responsibility [of parenthood]
while the spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a
criminal conviction for at least fone (1) year] SIX (6)
MONTHS;

XXX

(5) Parent [left solo or alone with the] WHO BEARS SOLE
AND LONE PARENTING responsibility [of parenthood] due
to legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at
least [one (1) year] SIX (6) MONTHS, as long as [he/she]
THE SOLO PARENT is entrusted with the custody of
children;

XXX

(7) Parent [left solo or alone with the] WHO BEARS SOLO
AND LONE PARENTING responsibility of parenthood due
to abandonment of spouse for at least fone (1) year] SIX (6)
MONTHS;

XXX

(9) Any [other person] LEGAL GUARDIAN, ADOPTIVE
OR FOSTER PARENT who solely provides parental care and
support to a child or children;

XXX

(11) PARENT WHO BEARS SOLO AND LONE
PARENTING RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO DISABILITY
OR INCAPACITY OF THE OTHER SPOUSE TO BE
EMPLOYED FOR AT LEAST SIX (6) MONTHS;


XXX,

€) "Flexible work schedule” ~ is the right granted to a solo
parent employee to vary {his/her} THE arrival and departure
time IN THE OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT without
affecting the core work hours as defined by the employer."

SECTION 2. Sections 4 and 5 of the same Act are hereby amended to read as
follows:

"SEC. 4. Criteria for Support. — Any solo parent whose income in the
place of domicile falls below the poverty threshold as set by the [National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)] NATIONAL STATISTICS
COORDINATION BOARD (NCSB), [and] subject to the assessment of the
[DSWD worker] CITY OR MUNICIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER in the area WHERE THE SOLO PARENTS
RESIDES, shall be eligible for assistance: Provided, however, that any solo
parent whose income is above the poverty threshold shall enjoy the benefits
mentioned in Sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Act.

SEC. 5. Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare
Services. A comprehensive package of social development and welfare
services for solo parents and their families [will] SHALL be developed by the
{DSWD} SECRETARY OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT, IN COORDINATION WITH THE DOH, [DECS|
DEPED, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA, [and] DILG, DEPARTMENT OF
TRADE AND INDUSTRY (DTI, BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE
(BIR), NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(NEDA). CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (CSC). NATIONAL
COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF THE PHILIPPINES (NCWP), UNION OF
LOCAL AUTHORITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES (ULAP), [in
coordination with and] local government units, and a non-governmental
organization with proven track record in providing services to solo parents.

XXX"

SECTION 3. Sections 8, 9 and 10 of the same Act are hereby amended to read
as follows:

"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 Jone (1) year] SIX (6) MONTHS.


SEC. 9. Educational Benefits. - The [DECs] DEPED, CHED and
TESDA shall provide the following benefits and privileges:

(1) Scholarship programs for qualified solo parents and their children
in institutions of basic, tertiary, and technical OR VOCATIONAL,
skills education; and

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 poverty line as declared by the
[NEDA] NSCB."

SECTION 4. New sections to be denominated as Sections 13, 14, 15 and 16
are hereby added to read as follows:

SEC, 13. SOLO PARENT IDENTIFICATION CARD (SPIC). —
UPON APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION OF PROPER
DOCUMENTS, AN IDENTIFICATION CARD APPROVED BY THE
LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE WHERE THE SOLO PARENT
RESIDES, SHALL BE ISSUED TO THE QUALIFIED SOLO PARENT
BY THE CITY OR MUNICIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER.

SEC. 14. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS. - A SOLO PARENT
SHALL BE ENTITLED TO THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL
BENEFITS:

A) TEN PERCENT (10%) DISCOUNT ON CHILDREN'S
CLOTHING MATERIALS FOR ALL PURCHASES MADE
WITHIN TWO (2) YEARS FROM THE BIRTH OF THE CHILD
OF THE SOLO PARENT;

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

) FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) DISCOUNT ON ALL
PURCHASES OF THE SOLO PARENT OF MEDICINES AND
OTHER MEDICAL SUPPLEMENTS OR SUPPLIES THAT
SHALL BE USED BY THE CHILD WHO ARE FIVE (5) YEARS
OLD AND BELOW.


TO AVAIL OF THESE BENEFITS, THE SOLO PARENT
SHALL SUBMIT OR PRESENT THE SOLO PARENT
IDENTIFICATION CARD AND THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF THE
CHILD OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF ENTITLEMENT.

THE CORPORATION OR BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT
THAT GIVES A DISCOUNT TO THE SOLO PARENT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION SHALL BE ENTITLED TO
CLAIM THE DISCOUNT GIVEN AS A BUSINESS EXPENSE
SUBJECT TO PROPER RECORDING AND DOCUMENTATION.

SEC. 15. INTER-AGENCY COORDINATING AND
MONITORING COMMITTEE. ~ A SPECIAL INTER-AGENCY
COMMITTEE, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE
COMMITTEE, SHALL BE ESTABLISHED TO COORDINATE AND
MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT. THE
COMMITTEE, WHICH SHALL CONSTITUTED WITHIN NINETY
(90) DAYS UPON THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT, SHALL BE
COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING:

A) SECRETARY OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT, AS CHAIRPERSON;

B) SECRETARY OF HEALTH OR AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE;

C) SECRETARY OF EDUCATION OR AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE;

D) SECRETARY OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT OR
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE;

E) SECRETARY OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
OR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE;

F) SECRETARY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY OR
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE;

G) COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE;

H) CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER
EDUCATION;

1) CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION ON CIVIL.
SERVICE;


J) CHAIRPERSON OF PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON
WOMEN;

K) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE TECHNICAL
EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY;

L) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC
AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY;

M) GENERAL MANAGER OF THE NATIONAL HOUSING
AUTHORITY;

N) CHAIRPERSON OF NATIONAL COMMISSIO!
MUSLIM FILIPINOS (NCMF);

0) NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
(NCIP); AND

P) A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION OF LOCAL.
AUTHORITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS MEMBERS.

THE COMMITTEE SHALL SUBMIT A REGULAR REPORT
TO CONGRESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT EVERY
THREE (3) YEARS FOLLOWING ITS EFFECTIVITY.

SEC 16. PENALTIES. - ANY PERSON, CORPORATION.
ENTITY OR AGENCY WHO REFUSES OR FAILS TO PROVIDE THE
BENEFITS GRANTED TO THE SOLO PARENT 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;

2) FOR SUBSEQUENT VIOLATIONS ~ A FINE OF NOT LESS
THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00) BUT
NOT MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS
(200,000.00) OR IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN ONE
(1) YEAR BUT NOT MORE THAN TWO (2) YEARS, OR
BOTH, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT.


IF THE OFFENDER IS A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP,
ORGANIZATION OR ANY SIMILAR ENTITY, THE EMPLOY
OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED SUCH AS THE PRESIDENT,
GENERAL MANAGER, MANAGING PARTNER OR OTHER
OFFICER CHARGED WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF ITS AFFAIRS
SHALL BE LIABLE THEREFOR.

IF THE OFFENDER IS AN ALIEN, THE OFFENDER 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.

ANY PERSON WHO MISREPRESENTS STATUS OR
FALSIFIES ANY DOCUMENT TO AVAIL OF BENEFITS PROVIDED
UNDER THIS ACT OR ANY PERSON WHO ABUSES THE
PRIVILEGES GRANTED HEREIN SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH A
FINE OF NOT LESS THAN TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P10,000.00)
BUT NOT MORE THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (PS50,000.00) AND
IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN SIX (6) MONTHS.

UPON FINDING OF THE DSWD 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 AGENCY OR THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND THE
PERSON DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VIOLATION."

SECTION 5. Sections 13 and 14 of the same Act are hereby renumbered as
Sections 17 and 18 and amended to read as follows:

"SEC. [13] 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — [An
interagency committee headed by] WITHIN NINETY (90) DAYS FROM
APPROVAL OF THIS ACT, the DSWD SHALL, in CONSULTATION
AND coordination with the DOH, DEPED, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA,
and DILG, DTI, BIR, NEDA, CSC, NCMF, NCIP, PCW, AND ULAP |is


hereby established which shall formulate, within ninety (90) days upon the
effectivity of this Act, the implementing rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act in consultation with the local government units,
non-governmental organizations and people's organizations.], ISSUE THE
NECESSARY RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE EFFECTIVE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT.

SEC. [14] 18. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the budget of the concemed
government agencies in the ANNUAL General Appropriations Act (GAA).

"GOVERNMENT AGENCIES MAY UTILIZE A PORTION OF
THEIR RESPECTIVE BUDGET FOR PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
ON GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT TO IMPLEMENT THIS ACT.

FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, GENDER AND
DEVELOPMENT REFERS TO PROCESSES UNDERTAKEN BY
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO ADDRESS GENDER ISSUES AND
TRANSFORM THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL
STRUCTURES OF THE SOCIETY TO ACHIEVE GENDER
EQUALITY AND EMPHASIZE THE FUNDAMENTAL ROLE OF
WOMEN AS ACTIVE AGENTS OF DEVELOPMENT AND NOT JUST
PASSIVE RECIPIENTS OF ASSISTANCE."

SECTION 6. Sections 15, 16 and 17 of the same Act, are hereby renumbered
as Sections 19, 20 and 21, respectively.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect (15) days after its complete publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,