Happy National Solo Parents Day!
The Iloilo Provincial Government, through the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (OPSWDO), held a forum to advocate for the benefits and privileges of solo parents and their children under Republic Act 11861 also known as the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.
The forum gathered stakeholders such as the mayors, municipal budget officers, members of the Provincial Solo Parents Federation, and the solo parent employees of the Iloilo provincial government.
Under RA 11861, indigent solo parents are entitled to a monthly cash subsidy of P1,000.
Additionally, they can avail of a 10% discount and VAT exemption on essential child-rearing purchases - including baby food, medicine, and vaccines - from birth until the age of six.
Solo parents are also granted 7 days of parental leave annually, in addition to their existing leave privileges.
OPSWDO Focal Person Ma. Christine Roa reported that 13 out of the 43 LGUs in the province have already begun rolling out this subsidy since 2024.
These are Igbaras, Tigbauan, Alimodian, New Lucena, Pavia, Leganes, Pototan, Janiuay, Dueñas, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Batad, and Concepcion.
In the province of Iloilo, there are 7,337 registered solo parents recorded by the OPSWDO.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias reaffirmed Governor Toto Defensor’s commitment to social justice and inclusive governance. He said the provincial government offers free hospitalization for indigent solo parents across the 13 provincial and district hospitals. Children of solo parents may also avail of the scholarship programs of the province.
“If you visit the Capitol, you would notice how inclusive we are. And this is anchored on the social justice agenda of Governor Defensor,” Banias said.
Provincial Ordinance No. 2018-166 also institutionalizes Solo Parents Day in the Province of Iloilo.
League of Municipalities of the Philippines Iloilo President and Badiangan Mayor Atty. Suzette Mamon Atty. Suzette Mamon pledged to strengthen the resilience of solo parents through localized support.
Vice Governor Lee Ann Debuque, Board Member Rolex Suplico, and OPSWDO officer-in-charge Rani Melvi Cuarte also joined representatives from the DSWD and DILG to express their full support for the initiative.
Suplico chairs the SP Committee on Social Welfare, Housing, Senior CItizens, and Person with Disability.
To learn more about RA 11861, kindly visit this link https://lawphil.net/sta.../repacts/ra2022/ra_11861_2022.html