Baguio okays ‘Solo Parent’ law
SOLO PARENTS in the city have been empowered.
On its final reading, the local council approved a law giving more benefits to over 1,000 solo parents in the city.
Vice - Mayor Edison Bilog said the measure will give discounts for groceries, medicine and tuition fees for registered solo parents with valid identification cards.
Bilog said burial assistance will also be one of the benefits allotting P1 million which will be in effect next year up for inclusion to the city budget.
Proponents Bilog and Councilor Faustino Olowan moved for discounts of solo parents with incomes under P250,000. Both aldermen have filed ordinances which seek to give solo parents and their children additional benefits over and above that which is offered in Republic Act No. 8972.
The approved law consolidates all measure filed in the august body.
Under the new law, solo parents or alone
with the responsibility of parenthood may be defined due to the following circumstances: death of spouse, spouse is detained or is serving sentence; physical or mental incapacity of spouse, legal separation or de facto separation; declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage.
The law adds Department of Social Welfare and Development will facilitate acquisition of solo parent identification cards as well as validation of information by applicants. A sevenday leave is given to solo parents over and above the mandated leaves given by companies.
Persons or companies found violating the new law will be penalized a P1,500 fine for the first offense; P2,500 for the second offense; P5,000 fine and closure of business as may be ordered by the appropriate implementing agency for the third offense.
If the violator is a corporation, organization, or any similar entity, the officials and employees directly involved will be individually liable and penalized.
Persons found guilty of falsification of documents to avail of the solo parent benefits will also be fined P5,000 or one month imprisonment or both at the discretion of the court.
For the region there is an estimated 7,000 solo parents registered.
The law will take effect after 15 days after publication.