Solo parent perks sought

MORE help for solo parents is underway.

A seven day additional leave may not be the sole benefit of a solo parent under city laws as vice mayor Edison Bilog and Councilor Faustino Olowan are moving to have discounts for those 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.

Bilog said the measure is intended to help solo parents “I would move for the deletion of the income requirement of the ordinance so all solo parents whatever their annual income, should be able to avail of the discounts.”

Under the solo parent act a provision of services, benefits, and privileges for solo parents and their children.

A solo parent, as defined is an unmarried

mother or father who has preferred to keep and rear children instead of having others care for them or give them up to a welfare institution.

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to the following circumstances; to 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 DSWD facilitates acquisition of solo parent identification cards as well as validation of in information by applicants.

A 7-day leave is given to solo parents over and above the mandated leaves given by companies.