Declaration of Policy
- The State promotes social justice, prosperity, and independence.
- Supports basic needs and assistance for solo parents in rearing children.
- Adheres to international and national family laws.
Definitions
- Child-minding centers: Facilities at/near workplace for children aged 7 or below.
- Children or dependents: Unmarried, unemployed, and 22 years or below; or disabled over 22.
- Flexible work schedule: Varied arrival/departure without affecting core work hours.
- Parental care/support: Provision of basic needs, healthcare, safety, emotional support.
- Parental leave: Leave allowing physical presence for parental duties.
- Spouse: Legally married or common-law partner.
Categories of Solo Parent
- Includes individuals providing sole parental care due to rape, death, detention, incapacity, separation, annulment/divorce, abandonment.
- Spouses or family members of low-skilled OFWs away for 12 months.
- Unmarried parents rearing children.
- Legal guardians, adoptive, foster parents, or relatives up to 4th degree caring for children.
- Pregnant women providing sole care to unborn child.
Comprehensive Social Protection Services
- Developed by DSWD with inter-agency coordination.
- Includes social services, health, education, legal aid, counseling, temporary shelter, and crisis management.
Work Discrimination
- Prohibits discrimination of solo parents based on status.
- Priority for telecommuting agreements under the Telecommuting Act.
Parental Leave
- Provides up to 7 working days of paid leave per year.
- Applies to solo parent employees with at least 6 months service.
Educational Benefits
- Scholarship programs for solo parents and their children from DepEd, CHED, TESDA.
- Priority for other children under relevant education assistance laws.
- Includes non-formal education options.
Child Minding Centers and Breastfeeding
- DOLE and CSC encouraged to establish child school centers accessible to solo parents.
- Encouragement of breastfeeding at workplaces for solo parent mothers.
Social Safety Assistance
- Entitlement to food, medicines, financial aid during calamities, disasters, pandemics.
- LGUs to ensure inclusion of budget in calamity funds.
Additional Benefits
- Cash subsidy of ₱1,000 monthly for solo parents earning minimum wage or less.
- 10% discount and VAT exemption on baby milk, food, medical items for eligible solo parents.
- Automatic PhilHealth coverage with premium shared by employer and government.
- Priority in apprenticeships, scholarships, employment, livelihood programs.
- Priority and allocation in low-cost government housing projects.
Limitations on Benefits
- Only solo parents exercising sole care are eligible.
- Occasional assistance from other parent does not disqualify solo parent status.
- Shared parental care is not considered solo parent status.
- Change in status terminates benefits eligibility.
Solo Parents Office/Division
- Establishment of Solo Parent Office in provinces/cities, and Solo Parent Division in municipalities.
- Required qualifications and staffing for SPO/SPD heads and staff.
- Duties include planning, maintaining lists, issuing IDs and booklets, monitoring compliance, and assisting solo parents.
Solo Parents Database
- Centralized database by DSWD and DILG.
- LGUs submit quarterly lists of solo parents.
- Fraud notifications and appropriate action mechanisms.
Documentary Requirements for Registration
- Detailed and specific documents based on category of solo parent.
- Includes birth certificates, affidavits, medical records, court decrees, certificates relevant to status.
- Confidentiality ensured under Data Privacy Act.
Issuance of Solo Parent ID Card (SPIC) and Booklet
- Review and verification within 7 working days.
- Disputes resolved within 5 working days by local social welfare offices.
- Validity of 1 year.
National Solo Parents Day and Week
- Third week and third Saturday of April designated for recognition.
Protections for Abused or Neglected Solo Parents
- Assistance coordinated by DSWD and local authorities.
- Right to claim support portion from co-parent's income.
Special Protections for Adolescent Solo Parents
- Counseling, psychosocial services from DSWD and DOH.
- Home-based, in-school, or technical education services.
Inter-Agency Coordinating and Monitoring Committee (IACMC)
- Chaired by DSWD Secretary with various cabinet and agency members.
- Quarterly meetings and reporting to Congress every 3 years.
- Gathers demographic data utilizing Community-Based Monitoring System.
- PSA conducts updated surveys every 4 years.
Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Solo Parents (JCOCSP)
- Composed of senators and representatives.
- Oversees implementation and recommends legislative/executive measures.
Prohibited Acts and Penalties
- Fines and imprisonment for refusal or failure to provide benefits.
- Penalties increase for repeat violations.
- Public officers face removal and perpetual disqualification.
- Offenders who are foreigners subject to immediate deportation.
- Penalties do not preclude higher penalties under other laws.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- To be issued within 90 days by Secretary of Social Welfare and Development in coordination with IACMC.
Appropriations
- Necessary funds to be included in government budgets.
- Agencies and LGUs may use Gender and Development budgets subject to guidelines.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation.