A CONGRESS-approved bill that grants additional benefits to solo parents became a law without President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s signature.
The measure, which lapsed into law on June 4, provides solo parents with additional work leave, scholarship and cash subsidy, and priority status in government low-cost housing projects.
The new law has shortened the period before someone can be declared a single parent to six months from the previous one year.
It expands the legally-recognized meaning of a single parent, considering “any legal guardian, adoptive or foster parent who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children.”
Under the law, solo parents are entitled to a forfeitable and noncumulative parental leave of not more than seven days every year.
The law also directs education institutions to provide scholarships or grants to qualified children of solo parents.
It entitles solo parents who earn minimum wage and below to an additional financial support of as much as 1,000 every month.
“I am elated that the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act has been passed into law,” Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros, one of the measure’s proponents, said in a statement.
“I share this victory with the millions of solo parents in our country,” she said. “This is a victory for solo parents like me.”
The new law also grants single-parents who are earning less than P250,000 a year a 10% discount and exemption from the value-added tax on various goods for children up to six years old. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza