New law provides more benefits to single parents

Single parents will now be able to avail extra benefits such as financial assistance, discounts, and more work leaves, according to a new law.

Republic Act No. 11861, also known as the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, was passed into law on June 4, 2022.

Under the new legislation, single parents earning the minimum wage or less are now eligible for a monthly cash support of P1,000.

The new law also provides that single parents earning less than P250,000 will avail a 10% discount and value-added tax exemption on baby products such as milk, diapers, vaccines, and medicine until the child is six years old.

On the other hand, senior citizens and people with disabilities who are single parents are also eligible for the discounts, in addition to their existing benefits.

Single parents with jobs in the public or private sectors are entitled to an annual seven-day paid parental leave.

More perks for single parents

Meanwhile, the bill also mandates the provision of scholarships to deserving children of single parents by the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

According to the legislation, a solo parent is someone who has sole custody of a child or children as a result of rape, the demise or criminal conviction of a spouse, a legal or de facto separation from a spouse, or abandonment.

A legal guardian who is the only one providing support, a pregnant woman who is the only one providing parental care, and a parent whose husband or wife has been working abroad for at least a year are all deemed to be solo parents.

Individuals who match the criteria must get a Solo Parent ID from the Solo Parent Office of their local government organization in order to receive the benefits.

The principal author of Republic Act No. 11861 (Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act) is Senator Imee Marcos.