In celebration of the National Solo Parents Week from April 21-26, the Inter-Agency Coordinating and Monitoring Committee (IACMC), led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has beefed up efforts to support solo parents across the country by holding a one-stop-shop caravan where they can avail of various services including registration.
“In line with Republic Act No. 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, the DSWD, together with the IACMC, will spearhead a one-stop-shop caravan on April 26 at the Mandaluyong College of Science and Technology (MCST),” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the agency spokesperson, said on Tuesday (April 22).
This year’s theme, “Solo Parent na Rehistrado, sa Gobyerno Tiyak na Suportado!”, reflects the government’s commitment in encouraging all solo parents to register with their respective local government units (LGUs) to be counted and to avail of the benefits provided under the law.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the caravan aims to provide solo parents with the opportunity to apply for or renew their Solo Parent Identification Card (SPIC) in a single and accessible venue.
“We also want to educate solo parents with the range of benefits and services available to them, which they can avail of if they have a valid SPIC,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
The caravan, according to the DSWD official, is made possible in partnership with various national government agencies including the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), PhilHealth, Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG Fund, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Solo parent representatives from different cities and municipalities in Metro Manila, along with delegates from government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and national government agencies (NGAs), are expected to participate in the caravan.
Under the expanded law, solo parents who are earning less than Php250,000 annually are entitled to a 10 percent discount and exemption from the value-added tax on their child’s milk, food, micronutrient supplements, sanitary diapers, duly prescribed medicines, vaccines, and other medical supplements from the birth of the child until they turn 6 years old.
Other benefits mandated under RA 11861 are monthly cash subsidy of Php1,000 from their respective LGU; prioritization in low-cost housing projects through the National Housing Authority (NHA); automatic coverage under PhilHealth’s National Health Insurance Program (NHIP); and access to scholarships and other educational programs of the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and TESDA, among others. (YADP)