WUe se YF REPRESENTATIVES

Republic of the Philippines WCCEIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:

Quezon City, Metro Manila

pare__17 AUG 2016

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3034

REC STR TION UNIT
BILLS av ACE X SERVICE

Introduced by CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Several provisions of the 1987 Constitution stressed the responsibility of the government to
nurture the Filipino family to ensure our development as a nation:

“The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and
strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution... The natural and
primary right and duty of the parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency
and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the Government.”
(Article Il, Section 12)

“The State recognizes the family as the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall
strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development.” (Article XV,
Section 1)

‘Thus, it is imperative for the State to honor and recognize the hard work, devotion, and
sacrifices of the 14 million solo parents in the country and appreciate their efforts in fulfilling their
dual responsibility of being a father and a mother to their children.

‘The idea for solo parents’ day was incepted in 1984 in an article written by Janice Moglen, a
divorced mother of two where she expressed her hope that Single Parents’ Day may one day gain
the same recognition as Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day.

The first national day for solo parents was celebrated in the United States of America on
March 21, 1984 when President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5166 which proclaimed the
said date as the National Single Parents’ Day.

This bill seeks to initiate the observance of the National Solo Parents Day in the Philippines
not only to acknowledge the dedication of solo parents but also to advance their rights and welfare.
It aims to increase the awareness and generate support for solo parents.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is sought.

‘ALFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

34

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
DECLARING MARCH 21 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL SOLO PARENTS’ DAY

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “National Solo Parents’ Day Act.”

SECTION 2. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to recognize the
essential role of single parents in strengthening family solidarity and in the rearing of the
youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character.

The State shall likewise advance the rights of solo parents and the collective well-
being of their families through the annual observance of the National Day of Solo Parents in
the Philippines

SECTION 3. The 21s day of March of every year is hereby declared as “National Solo
Parents’ Day.”

SECTION 4. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of
Health, the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Labor and Employment,
the National Housing Authority, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government
shall initiate the holding of appropriate activities in celebration of National Solo Parents’
Day, including

(a) Information drive on laws, rules, and regulation that provides for the rights of
solo parents;


(b) Awareness seminars regarding the benefits and privileges (work, educational,
housing, medical) provided by the government to solo parents; and
() Other activities as deemed necessary by the Department concerned.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation,

Approved,