Ra 8972
Ra 8972
Ra 8972
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Solo Parents' Welfare Act
of 2000." CAScIH
(b) "Children" refer 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.
(c) "Parental responsibility" with respect to their minor children shall
refer to the rights and duties of the parents as de ned in Article 220
of Executive Order No. 209, as amended, otherwise known as the
"Family Code of the Philippines."
(d) "Parental leave" shall mean leave bene ts granted to a solo parent
to enable him/her to perform parental duties and responsibilities
where physical presence is required.
(e) "Flexible work schedule" 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.
SECTION 4. Criteria for Support. Any solo parent whose income in the
place of domicile falls below the poverty threshold as set by the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) and subject to the assessment of the DSWD worker in
the area shall be eligible for assistance: Provided, however, That any solo parent whose
income is above the poverty threshold shall enjoy the bene ts mentioned in Sections 6,
7 and 8 of this Act.
SECTION 5. Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare
Services. 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. AaHcIT
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. The package 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.
CD Technologies Asia, Inc. 2016 cdasiaonline.com
(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 debrie ng 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.
ATEHDc
The DECS, CHED and TESDA shall promulgate rules and regulations for the
proper implementation of this program.
SECTION 10. Housing Bene ts . 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.
SECTION 11. 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).
SECTION 12. Additional Powers and Functions of the DSWD. The DSWD
shall perform the following additional powers and functions relative to the welfare of
solo parents and their families:
(a) Conduct research necessary to: (1) develop a new body of
CD Technologies Asia, Inc. 2016 cdasiaonline.com
knowledge on solo parents; (2) de ne executive and legislative
measures needed to promote and protect the interest of solo parents
and their children; and (3) assess the effectiveness of programs
designed for disadvantaged solo parents and their children;
TAESDH
SECTION 17. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fteen (15) days
following its complete publication in the Of cial Gazette or in at least two (2)
newspaper of general circulation.
Approved: November 7, 2000
Published in the Manila Standard and Business World on November 13, 2000.
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 97 No. 19 page 2705 on May 7, 2001.