Republic Act No. 8972 or the “Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000”is the Philippine law on single parents. It was promulgated on November 7, 2000.
The law provides comprehensive program of services for solo parents and their children to be carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other related government and non-government agencies. (Sec.2, RA 8972)
You are considered a single parent if you are:
[1] A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without a final conviction of the offender: Provided, That the mother keeps and raises the child;
[2] Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to death of spouse;
[3] Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood while the spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one (1) year;
[4] Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner;
[5] Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least one (1) year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children;
[6] Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as decreed by a court or by a church as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children;
[7] Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to abandonment of spouse for at least one (1) year;
[8] Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep and rear her/his child/children instead of having others care for them or give them up to a welfare institution;
[9] Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children;
[10] Any family member who assumes the responsibility of head of family as a result of the death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo parent.
A change in the status or circumstance of the parent claiming benefits under this Act, such that he/she is no longer left alone with the responsibility of parenthood, shall terminate his/her eligibility for these benefits.
Who are considered as “children” under RA 8972?
The term “children” refers to those living with and dependent upon the solo parent for support who are unmarried, unemployed and not more than eighteen (18) years of age, or even over eighteen (18) years but are incapable of self-support because of mental and/or physical defect/disability.
What are government agencies required to provide under RA 8972?
A comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families will be developed by the DSWD, DOH, DECS, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA and DILG, in coordination with local government units and a nongovernmental organization with proven track record in providing services for solo parents.
The DSWD shall coordinate with concerned agencies the implementation of the comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families.
What are included in this package of services for single parents?
The package of services will initially include:
(a) Livelihood development services which include trainings on livelihood skills, basic business management, value orientation and the provision of seed capital or job placement.
(b) Counseling services which include individual, peer group or family counseling. This will focus on the resolution of personal relationship and role conflicts.
(c) Parent effectiveness services which include the provision and expansion of knowledge and skills of the solo parent on early childhood development, behavior management, health care, rights and duties of parents and children.
(d) Critical incidence stress debriefing which includes preventive stress management strategy designed to assist solo parents in coping with crisis situations and cases of abuse.
(e) Special projects for individuals in need of protection which include temporary shelter, counseling, legal assistance, medical care, self-concept or ego-building, crisis management and spiritual enrichment.
What is “flexible work schedule”?
It is the right granted to a solo parent employee to vary his/her arrival and departure time without affecting the core work hours as defined by the employer. Under Section 6 of RA 8972, the employer shall provide for a flexible working schedule for solo parents: Provided, That the same shall not affect individual and company productivity: Provided, further, That any employer may request exemption from the above requirements from the DOLE on certain meritorious grounds.
What about the issue of work discrimination, in terms of job assignments or promotion?
Section 7 of RA 8972 provides that no employer shall discriminate against any solo parent employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment on account of his/her status.
What is the so-called single parent leave?
In addition to leave privileges under existing laws, parental leave of not more than seven (7) working days every year shall be granted to any solo parent employee who has rendered service of at least one (1) year.
A common problem of single parents is providing educational opportunities for their children. Does RA 8972 have provision on this issue?
The DECS, CHED and TESDA are mandated to provide the following benefits and privileges:
(1) Scholarship programs for qualified solo parents and their children in institutions of basic, tertiary and technical/skills education; and
(2) Nonformal education programs appropriate for solo parents and their children.
Another problem of single parents is housing. What benefits if any are provided under RA 8972?
Solo parents shall be given allocation in housing projects and shall be provided with liberal terms of payment on said government low-cost housing projects in accordance with housing law provisions prioritizing applicants below the poverty line as declared by the NEDA.
What about medical assistance?
The DOH shall develop a comprehensive health care program for solo parents and their children. The program shall be implemented by the DOH through their retained hospitals and medical centers and the local government units (LGUs) through their provincial/district/city/municipal hospitals and rural health units (RHUs).
How do I avail of the benefits under RA 8972?
You can communicate with the DSWD office of your town or city with regards the requirements to be submitted.
Postscript: As you can see from the above, the package of benefits for single parents is quite slim. Perhaps, our enlightened legislators will see the need to increase the assistance to single parents. One idea the SPARC ladies came up with is the “Single Parents ID” just like that of the senior citizens, with all of the corresponding benefits.
This is a very good news for a single mom like me who has a lot of worries on how to provide a decent life to my son.But I hope that the goverment will have more efforts to inform many single parents about the great help that our goverment can give. More power to all DSWD
I’m looking forward to getting more information about this topic, don’t worry about negative opinions.
I wasn’t really aware of this until now, definitely all single parents deserve to have more quality time to their kids. I hope this is being cascaded to all Employers because not all single parents are knowledgeable about this .
i want to ask more information regarding this soloparent I.D. like on my case the father of my children abandoned us, and there was no financial support coming from him but the company i am currently working does not want to recognize that i am solo parent bec of lacking of documents paper to support that i am a solo parent, and the company is deducting big percentage of tax on my monthly income
I just want some clear answer in my case wherein, I’m legally married and a father of a one year old girl, but my wife abandoned us recently, for reasons that she want to be out in the family and find herself somewhere else. My question is can I avail the Single Parenthood after a year of abandoning us?
@ Lyn yeah this is actually not so much of a public knowledge yet and I hope the next set of government officials will have more teeth in implementing the laws they approved.
@ Emma when you go to BIR and your Municipality show proof of no financial ties and communication have someone write testimonies for you proving that the biological dad does not support in any form then have it notarized bring the copy of this law, have it printed, or write the law number and the author. Shove it to their face and have them give you a solo parent ID or even a single parent tax. If this doesn’t work tell me, we will go to PAO. Good luck!
@ Dens I think in case of abandonment of wife you should have testimonies that the mother really abandoned and not show or attempt any communication. You have to wait at least 3 years to declare yourself a single parent. What you can do about tax exemption or lowering your tax is to declare yourself the head of the family.
Hi,just call me nal,im a 30 yrs. old,single mom with 2 kids,eldest is 10 yrs. and youngest is 9 yrs. old…actually i had a house before but unfortunately pina demolish yun ng city mayor the reason is in a lot property 3 mters is owned by the govt. which is true naman,but the thing is nawalan kme mag iina ng haus just because yung naipundar ko sana for my kids inalis lang nila ng ganun lang,without a relocation.Now nakikitira lang kme mag iina sa isang kamag anak because i cant provide a shelter for them,i can only provide sa school and everyday expences nila.and since 2 yrs. old pa lng ang ang eldest ko ako na lahat ang nag poprovide sa kids,hindi ko din pwede asahan ang father nila coz he is in jail for almost 5 yrs. now…is there a chance na ma practice ko ang benifits as a single mother…Thanks a lot,and more power…God Bless!
Hi! I’m a social worker and handling Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL) in court. Part of my duties as a social worker is to help her to be productive member of the community. Her case was referred to Diversion or Intervention Program that her case is no longer be heard in formal court proceedings. I have a client who is a teenage pregnant, i want to help her to be well-prepared in rearing her upcoming child. Do you have any idea of NGO’s that give free seminar or worshop for parent to enhance her skills in rearing her child since she is a teenager and indigent. Please Help! Thank you.
hI i AM a single mom and would like to ask for your help, we separated just recently, for 1 year of being apart from each other he only gives financial assistance 4 times if I am not mistaken, and total amount is probable 4000 to 5000 only. that’s it. Whenever I ask for any support from him he tends to disregard and reason out. I plan to legally file an annulment but the thing is, the fees are way too much, can’t afford to actually throw that kind of money knowing I am the only one who supports our two kids.
Hi! I believe TESDA gives free seminars and workshops of any kind you just have to visit any office and see what will interest her.
hi this is paz.
with regard to the solo parent leave, does it limit to sickness of the child only?
bec the school where my kid is enrolled, asked parents to accompany the child on the first 3 days of school as there are orientations, PTA and other activities for familiarization so the child won’t get shock on their first days. Can this be applied to the solo parent leave?
thank you.
Hi! I would like to ask more about this SINGLE PARENT Act. Im already separated for 2 years. I have 2 kids (one of which is a Special Child), and they both stay with their father because the father said I am not capable of supporting the children. I left home because I was thrown out of the house. Recently, news has reached me that the father of my kids is planning to go to DSWD to file for SINGLE PARENT. After reading the thread on this topic, I wonder if he will pass the requirements and/or grounds? You see, I keep in touch with my kids (through text messaging, visits, phone calls, emails, facebook). Question now is, do i have the right to contest to his plans? And, up to what extend does ABANDONMENT mean? I didnt abandon the kids, I was thrown out (“pinalaya” in tagalog). I hope someone can help me sort out this thing, because I am afraid to lose my children. Thank you.
PS: Sorry for the typo error from my previous comment… the word should have been “PINALAYAS”..NOT “pinalaya”.
i’ve been separated from my husband for 12 yrs now he is living abroad, our kid is now 12 yrs old and never seen his father in person but our communication is open and financial support comes regularly (although not enough). Can i consider myself as solo parent , since i raised my kid alone. i am not working to care of my kid. Can i avail the benefits of this law.
Consider po ba single parent kapag ang asawang lalaki nasa abroad pero nagbibigay po ng suporta sa mga bata?
hi I just come across your site while searching for some “single parent” benefits in the Philippines. I just read about the single parent ID and was wondering where can i get that?
I was able to get the certification from the DSWD in our municipality but I think a lot of establishment are not aware of this law. Like the discounts from milk and medicine and other essential things for my kid, di ko pa talaga nakuha. I just hope we can also avail of the other benefits of this law.
I was left by my husband for almost 3 years………we are both working abroad but in different countries. He just changed the address ang mobile number in united kingdom,he don’t even support our son financially nor call in Philippines. I don’t know what to do………his family in the Philippines don’t want to give information about him. I can’t even go yearly to the Philippines to visit my son due to high fare and I’mthe only one supporting my son. Is there any free assistance that could help me file a case to my husband? Please do help me…………..
hi,
i would like to inquire if its possible for me to get this type of benefits, I am single, my ex girlfriend and i had a daughter, and she will be leaving for another country by next month. She is going to leave our daughter with me and will let me rear the child alone. I am currently working and this solo parent leave would help me give more time for my daughter.
What requirements should i be getting in order for me to get approved for this kind of benefit?