MANILA — The Quezon City government and a group pushing for the welfare of solo parents will be holding a Solo Parents Day celebration at the Quezon Memorial City on Saturday, April 28.
Carina Javier, president of the Federation of Solo Parents Luzvimin Inc., said the activity will be highlighted by zumba exercises, information caravan of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and free legal consultation courtesy of Public Attorney’s Office.
Javier said the event is part of the campaign to amend some of the provisions in the Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parent Welfare Act of 2000, which primarily grants discounts and benefits to solo parents.
“It’s almost 18 years and hindi pa din (it’s still not) fully implemented all over the Philippines. This is an antiquated, vague, toothless law,” said Javier in an interview with Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday.
At present, she said the only concrete benefit that solo parents may avail of is the seven days parental leave if the solo parent is working, however in some private companies this privilege is still not fully enforced.
The group is also proposing amendments to the law including 20 percent discount when solo parents purchase of baby’s milk and food supplements made within three years from the child’s birth, medicines and vaccines for the child made within 18 years of the child’s birth.
The 20 percent discount should also apply to hospital bill of the solo parent when his or her child is admitted to a public or private hospital and public and private recreational facilities where solo parents spend time with their children.
The following discounts are also being proposed: 12 percent for basic necessities; 15 percent for school supplies until the child reaches the age of 21; 10 percent for school tuition per child studying college in either a public or private school; and 10 percent for consultation and laboratory diagnostic fees, as well as purchase of medicines for solo parents and their dependents.
Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and other city councilors who are strong advocates of Solo Parents are expected to grace the event this Saturday.
Other associations of solo parents in different cities will also hold their respective Solo Parents Day this month. (Leilani Junio/PNA)
