Extending solo parent benefits to OFW spouses supported

RAISING a family on your lonesome is not an easy task. This is especially true for the countless families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), who are forced to make many sacrifices as their loved ones work abroad.

With this in mind, Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a bill that would help alleviate the challenges faced by the spouses of our countless OFWS as they navigate their daily lives without their partners.

Known as the Expanded Solo Welfare Act (Senate Bill No. 164), the Hontiveros bill pushes for the extension of privileges being enjoyed by solo parents to the spouses of OFWs, and help them address their daily needs.

“May pagkaka-parehas ang mga hamon at sakripisyo ng ating mga solo parents at ng mga asawa ng ating mga OFWs. The government must reach out and give a helping hand to these families,” she said.

Under the bill, spouses of qualified OFWs are set to enjoy seven additional days of paid parental leave per year, 20% discount on medical care and basic goods, 20% discount on tuitions fees of their children, housing benefits, and tax exemptions.

The bill will also allow qualified OFW families to avail of 20 percent discount in private or public recreational facilities like cinemas, to allow them to have some “quality family time.”

The benefits under the bill will cover spouses of OFWS considered as “lowskilled” or “semi-skilled” workers who have been abroad for at least a year without interruption.

If passed, the bill is expected to benefit the growing number of OFWs from Mindanao, who now form at least 17.8 percent of all OFWs worldwide.

“Maraming asawa ng mga OFW ang matagal na nahihiwalay sa kanilang mga asawa dahil sa trabaho. Kadalasan, mag-isa nilang pinapalaki ang kanilang

mga anak. Marami tayong magagawa para mapaganda ang kanilang buhay at mabawasan ang hirap at lungkot na hinaharap nila,” Hontiveros said.