Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11861)
Republic Act No. 11861 is officially titled the "Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act."
A solo parent is any individual who falls under categories such as a parent providing sole parental care due to specific circumstances like death, separation, incapacity of spouse, abandonment, single parenthood, or being a guardian or relative caring for a child, among others as defined in Section 4 of the Act.
Solo parents are entitled to a comprehensive package of social protection services including parental leave of up to seven working days, educational scholarships, child-minding centers, breastfeeding support in the workplace, additional cash subsidies, discounts on baby products, automatic PhilHealth coverage, employment prioritization, and priority in government housing programs.
Solo parents are granted a forfeitable and noncumulative parental leave of not more than seven (7) working days with pay every year, applicable to both government and private sector employees who have rendered at least six months of service.
Yes, employers may enter into telecommuting agreements with solo parent employees, and solo parent employees shall be given priority under the Telecommuting Act (RA 11165).
Penalties include fines from P10,000 to P50,000 or imprisonment of six months to one year for first offenses; increased fines and imprisonment for subsequent offenses; officials involved can be held liable; and business permits may be revoked. Foreign offenders may be deported after serving sentence.
The documents depend on the category but generally include birth certificates of children, marriage certificates, affidavits, medical records, and other proofs relevant to the solo parent’s status, as outlined in Section 19 of the Act.
The SPO or Solo Parent Division (SPD) implements the Act by issuing SPICs and booklets, maintaining solo parent lists, monitoring compliance with the Act, providing information, and assisting in complaints, among other functions.
The Secretary of Social Welfare and Development serves as the Chairperson, with the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government as Vice-Chairperson, and includes other heads of key government agencies as members.
The third Saturday of April is declared National Solo Parents Day, and the third week of April is Solo Parents Week to recognize and commemorate the contributions of solo parents in the Philippines.