Republie of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

16" CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 1316

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G, ESCUDERO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act 8972 otherwise known as the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000, recognizes
the legal concept of 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. It
also provides basic personal exemption from individual income tax.

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.

In view of the foregoing, this bill is submitted.

EVELINA G. ESCUDERO.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

16" CONGRE:
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1346

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO.

AN ACT
TO FURTHER EXT! ASSISTANCE TO SOLO PARENTS AMENDING
FOR THE PURPO 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 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:

(a)

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

"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 of 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 OT
SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE BENEFITS UNDER
SECTION 12-A OF THE ACT.”

SEC. 2. 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 who has rendered service of at least
one (1) year.”

SEC. 3. There shall be created and inserted a new section to read as follows:


I "SECTION 13. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS. - IN ADDITION TO THE
2 FOREGOING BENEFITS, SOLO PARENTS WHO HAVE BEEN
3 QUALIFIED AS SUCH BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE
4 AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD) SHALL LIKEWISE BE ENTITLED TO
5 THE FOLLWOING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

7 (1) TEN PERCENT (10%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PURCHASES OF
a CLOTHING AND CLOTHING MATERIALS FOR THE CHILD
9 MADE WITHIN A PERIOD OF UP TO TWO (2) YEARS FROM THE
10 CHILD'S BIRTH;

u

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

16

7 (3) FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) DISCOUNT FROM ALL PURCHASES
18 OF Ss AND OTHER MEDICAL

19 SUPPLEMENTS/SUPPLIES FOR THE CHILD MADE WITHIN A
20 PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS FROM THE CHILD'S BIRTH; AND.

21

2 (4) BASIC PERSONAL EXEMPTION FROM INDIVIDUAL INCOME.
23 TAX IN THE AMOUNT OF FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (PHP.
24 50,000. an IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING EXEMPTION THAT
25 LE MAY CLAIM FOR HIS/HER DEPENDENT
26

7

28

29 Section 4. The same law is hereby amended by adding a new section which shall read as
30 follow:

31

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

36

37

38 Section 5. The same law is hereby amended by adding a new section which shall read as
39 follows:

40

41 "SECTION 15. "PENAL PROVISIONS"- ANY EMPLOYER WHO FAILS.
42 TO PROVIDE THE BENEFITS MENTIONED IN SECTIONS 6,7,8,13 OF
43 THIS ACT SHALL SUFFER THE FOLLOWING PENALTY:

44

45 (1) FINE OF NOT LESS THAN TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P10,000.00) BUT
46 NOT EXCEEDING FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50, 000. 00) OR
47 IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN SIX MONTHS BUT NOT MORE,
48 THAN ONE YEAR, OR BOTH AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT.
49

50 (2) FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION, A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN
St ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00) BUT NOT
52 EXCEEDING TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P200,000.00) OR
33 IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR BUT NOT MORE,

THAN TWO YEARS, OR BOTH AT THE DISCRETION OF THE
COURT.



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

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

5
6
5 4)
8
9

12 (5) IF THE VIOLATOR IS AN ALIEN OR A FOREIGNER, HE SHALL BE

rr DEPORTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER SERVICE OF SENTENCE
4 WITHOUT FURTHER DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS.

15

16 UPON FILING OF AN APPROPRIATE COMPL, T. AND
7 AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING, THE PROPER AUTHORITIES.
18 MAY ALSO CAUSE THE REVOCATION OR CANCELLATION OF THE
19 BUSINESS PERMIT, PERMIT TO OPERATE, FRANCHISE AND
20 OTHER SIMILAR PRIVILEGES GRANTED TO ANY BU SES
21 THAT FAILS TO ABIDE BY THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT"

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

25

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

Section 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.

Section 8. If any 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.

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

40 Approved,