Solo Parents' Welfare
Act of 2000
Republic Act No. 8972
Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000
Anact providing for benefits and
privileges to solo parents and their
children, appropriating funds therefor
and for other purposes
Approved on November 7, 2000
SOLO PARENT
Is any individual who falls under any of the
following categories:
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;
SOLO PARENT
Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of
parenthood:
Death of spouse
Spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal
conviction for at least one (1) year
Physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by
a public medical practitioner
Legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at
least one (1) year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the
custody of the children
Declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as decreed
by a court or by a church as long as he/she is entrusted
with the custody of the children
Abandonment of spouse for at least one (1) year
SOLO PARENT
Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep
and rear her/his child/children instead of having others
care for them or give them up to a welfare institution
Any other person who solely provides parental care and
support to a child or children
Any family member who assumes the responsibility of
head of family as a result of the death, abandonment,
disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or
solo parent
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
CRITERIA FOR SUPPORT
Any solo parent whose income in the place of
domicile falls below the poverty threshold
Any solo parent whose income is above the
poverty threshold shall enjoy the benefits of
flexible work schedule, work discrimination and
parental leave.
BENEFITS
Comprehensive Package of Social
Development and Welfare Services
a. Livelihood development services which include
trainings on livelihood skills, basic business management,
value orientation and the provision of seed capital or job
placement.
b. Counseling services which include individual, peer
group or family counseling. This will focus on the
resolution of personal relationship and role conflicts.
c. Parent effectiveness services which include the
provision and expansion of knowledge and skills of the solo
parent on early childhood development, behavior
management, health care, rights and duties of parents and
children.
Comprehensive Package of Social
Development and Welfare Services
d. Critical incidence stress debriefing which
includes preventive stress management strategy
designed to assist solo parents in coping with crisis
situations and cases of abuse.
e. Special projects for individuals in need of
protection which include temporary shelter,
counseling, legal assistance, medical care, self-
concept or ego-building, crisis management and
spiritual enrichment.
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
Work Discrimination
No employer shall discriminate against any solo
parent employee with respect to terms and
conditions of employment on account of his/her
status
Parental Leave
leave benefits granted to a solo parent to enable
him/her to perform parental duties and
responsibilities where physical presence is
required
not more than seven (7) working days every year
for those who has rendered service of at least one
(1) year.
Educational Benefits
1) Scholarship programs for qualified solo parents
and their children in institutions of basic, tertiary
and technical/skills education; and
2) Non-formal education programs appropriate for
solo parents and their children.
Housing Benefits
allocation in housing projects with liberal terms
of payment in accordance with housing law
provisions prioritizing applicants below the
poverty line as declared by the NEDA.
Medical Assistance
The DOH shall develop a comprehensive health
care program for solo parents and their children.
The program shall be implemented by the DOH
through their retained hospitals and medical
centers and the local government units (LGUs)
through their provincial/district/city/municipal
hospitals and rural health units (RHUs)
Additional Powers and Functions of the
DSWD
a) Conduct research necessary to: (1) develop a new body of
knowledge on solo parents; (2) define executive and
legislative measures needed to promote and protect the
interest of solo parents and their children; and (3) assess
the effectiveness of programs designed for disadvantaged
solo parents and their children;
b) Coordinate the activities of various governmental and
nongovernmental organizations engaged in promoting and
protecting the interests of solo parents and their
children; and
c) Monitor the implementation of the provisions of this Act
and suggest mechanisms by which such provisions are
effectively implemented.
End of Presentation
