Question & AnswerQ&A (REVISED IRR OF Republic Act No. 8972 AS AMENDED BY Republic Act No. 11861)
The official title is the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (RIRR) of Republic Act No. 8972 or the 'Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000,' as amended by Republic Act No. 11861 or the 'Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.'
Customers who fall under any of the categories listed in Section 12, such as a parent who provides solo parental care due to the death or incapacity of the spouse, unmarried parents raising their children alone, legal guardians who solely provide parental care, relatives within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity providing care due to absence of parents, or pregnant women who provide sole parental care for their unborn child.
Solo parents are entitled to a comprehensive package of social protection services including livelihood development, medical and educational assistance, counseling, parental leave, flexible working hours, child-minding centers, social safety assistance during calamities, medical coverage under PhilHealth, housing priority, discounts on certain baby products, and additional monthly cash subsidies subject to qualification.
The SPIC serves as competent proof of a person's status as a solo parent and enables the holder to avail benefits under the Act. It is issued by the Solo Parents Office or Division after proper assessment and is valid for one year subject to renewal upon reassessment.
Eligibility is assessed by a social worker at the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office through a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant’s needs, category, readiness for services, and available resources.
The applicant must submit the birth certificate/s of the child(ren), marriage certificate, death certificate of the spouse, a sworn affidavit declaring non-cohabitation and sole parental care, and an affidavit from a barangay official attesting residency and parental care.
For the first violation, a fine ranging from PHP 10,000 to PHP 50,000 or imprisonment from six months to one year, or both. For subsequent violations, the fine is PHP 100,000 to PHP 200,000 or imprisonment from one to two years, or both. Officials involved may be held liable, and business permits can be revoked. Foreigners may be deported after serving the sentence.
The solo parent must declare their intention before the expiration of the SPIC, surrender the SPIC to the Social Welfare Office, or undergo assessment if they fail to do so. Notice of termination is given in writing, and benefits end immediately upon receipt. Failure to renew the SPIC also results in automatic expiration.
The IACMC includes the Secretaries of DSWD (Chairperson), DILG (Vice-Chairperson), DOF, DOH, DepEd, DOLE, DTI, DOJ, DMW; Chairpersons of CHED, CSC, PCW; Directors General of NEDA and TESDA; General Manager of NHA; President of PhilHealth; representatives from ULAP and civil society organizations.
A solo parent employee must have rendered at least six months of service, whether continuous or interrupted, to qualify for the parental leave of seven working days per year.