Strengthen law on solo parents

A MOVE to further strengthen the existing law in promoting and protecting the rights of solo parents, which is considered as one of the vulnerable sectors in the country, has been laid out by the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 11).

This year, DSWD 11 has created a Solo Parents' Association (SPA) to cater the demands of the single parents’ as well as to uphold their welfare and address their plight.

“We have organized our solo parents' association at DSWD 11. Members were oriented on the law, officers participated in the national gab of solo parents, so far,” DSWD 11 information officer Carmela C. Duron said.

According to Duron, the association is created to help advocate and protect the rights and benefits of solo parents and their children.

This is also organize and mobilize for solo parents of DSWD as contributing members of society and help provide assistance and other needs of solo parents and their children, Duron said.

SPA president Pacita de Leon and vice president Paula Go are set to take their oath on September 1 at the office of the Vice President Leni Robredo.

Based on the statement posted on DSWD website, Secretary Judy

M. Taguiwalo expressed the need to broaden the campaign to empower the solo parents.

“We need to intensify and broaden the advocacy campaign and implement appropriate programs for solo parents, those who are raising their child/ children alone,” Taguiwalo said.

Several Filipinos are unaware of the existing laws and privileges that the solo parents’ have. Thus, DSWD plans to widen their campaign in educating solo parents’ about Republic Act (RA) 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000 and clarify the misconception that only working solo parents are allowed to be issued with IDs to avail the seven-day parental leave.