Question & AnswerQ&A (PNP CIRCULAR NO. 2004-003)
Republic Act No. 8972, otherwise known as the 'Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000', serves as a reference.
Children refer to those living with and dependent on the solo parents who are unmarried, unemployed and below eighteen (18) years of age, or eighteen (18) years and above but are incapable of self-support and/or mentally and/or physically challenged.
Parental Leave refers to leave benefits granted for a solo parent to perform parental duties and responsibilities where physical presence is required.
Parental responsibilities include supporting, educating, and instructing children; giving love and affection; providing moral and spiritual guidance; supervising activities; representing children in matters affecting their interest; demanding respect and obedience; enforcing discipline; and performing other duties imposed by law.
PNP personnel who are solo parents due to reasons such as rape resulting in childbirth, death or incapacity of spouse, legal separation, annulment, abandonment of spouse, unmarried persons raising children, foster parents licensed by DSWD, and family members assuming head of family responsibilities due to death or prolonged absence of parents.
The PNP solo parent must have rendered service in the PNP, whether continuous or broken, for at least one (1) year regardless of employment status.
Seven (7) days of parental leave are granted annually and in addition to existing leave privileges. The leave cannot be converted to cash and if not availed within the calendar year, it is forfeited.
Parental leave may be availed for attending personal milestones of the child, performing parental obligations like school attendance, attending to medical, social, spiritual, and recreational needs, and other circumstances requiring the parent's physical presence.
Termination occurs upon changes in status such as the solo parent getting married or no longer being left alone with parental responsibilities. The head of office may investigate and determine if grounds for termination exist.
The PNP solo parent must secure a Solo Parent Identification Card from the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and submit an accomplished application form (CS Form No. 6) with supporting documents like the Solo Parent ID and birth certificate of the child/children.
The immediate supervisor or division chief recommends approval or disapproval based on submitted documents, while the approval authority exercises discretion, especially considering exigencies in PNP service.
Falsification or misrepresentation shall render the PNP solo parent administratively liable without prejudice to criminal liability.