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Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian (2nd from right), together with Abra Governor Dominic Valera (3rd from right), leads the provision of assistance to 2,850 solo parents from the 27 municipalities of Abra province.
Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian (2nd from right), together with Abra Governor Dominic Valera (3rd from right), leads the provision of assistance to 2,850 solo parents from the 27 municipalities of Abra province.

Some 2,850 solo parents in Abra province received assistance amounting to P2,000 each from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the Abra Provincial Local Government Unit (LGU), on March 8, 2023, coinciding with the celebration of the Abrenian Kawayan Festival or the Abra Foundation Day.

The assistance is in line with the enactment of Republic Act 11861 or the amended Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000, which mandates the provision of adequate social protection programs for solo parents from the government.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the distribution of the assistance to the solo parents from the 27 municipalities of Abra.

Aside from this, DSWD records show that 588 solo parent-headed families in Abra are Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries.  Also, DSWD Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has previously given livelihood assistance to 36 qualified solo parents under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).  The SLP program is open to all those who are in need and are qualified,  based on the assessment of a DSWD social worker.

The Secretary said that as a former mayor, he had seen the work and the hardships encountered by the solo parents, and their need for assistance.  They toil to earn a living and at the same time, care for their children, with many having no other support.

Moreover, he lauded the province of Abra for having an organized solo parents group, noting the LGU’s advanced initiatives for the sector.  He said that the DSWD will continue to partner with Abra and other LGUs for the provision of assistance to the sector, especially with the implementation of the new law on solo parents.

“Ang panata namin sa DSWD, aalagaan ang solo parents, hindi lamang dito sa Abra, kundi sa buong Pilipinas. Maraming bagong programa ang ilalabas sa darating na buwan” (Our vow in DSWD is to care for the solo parents, not just here in Abra, but in the entire Philippines. There are new programs to expect in the coming months), the Secretary said.

Abra Governor Dominic Valera hosted the activity and welcomed the DSWD delegation headed by Secretary Gatchalian with Undersecretary Denise Florence Bragas and DSWD-CAR Director Leo Quintilla.

Visiting DSWD’s facilities

Secretary Gatchalian spends light moments with children in conflict with the law at the Bahay Pag-Asa Center.
Secretary Gatchalian spends light moments with children in conflict with the law at the Bahay Pag-Asa Center.

In line with his first official visit to Abra, the Secretary conducted an ocular visit to the DSWD satellite office in the province.  Secretary Gatchalian thanked the staff of DSWD-Field Office CAR, especially those assigned in the province, for their continued compassionate service to the locals.

Secretary Gatchalian also inspected the DSWD warehouse in the province and checked the availability of food and non-food items.

He, likewise, visited the Bahay Pag-Asa center for children in conflict with the law, which is a facility managed by the LGU.

The Secretary has been visiting the different facilities of the DSWD across the country in line with his goal of improving these structures to ensure quality public service to clients. ###