The Davao City Council approved Thursday an ordinance assuring eligible solo parents of various benefits and subsidies, pursuant to Republic Act 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000.
The Local Solo Parents Ordinance seeks to help solo parents in raising their families and in providing their children a better future, as “such efforts will contribute greatly to the continued realization of Davao City to be a ‘Child-Friendly’ City.”
The ordinance allows single parents to avail of 10-percent discounts on prime commodities and necessities consisting of medicines and vitamins not exceeding P5,000, school supplies, consultation and laboratory diagnostics, restaurant bills, exemption from Value Added Tax, and medical-related bills.
Solo parents can apply for the benefits by submitting documents such as voter’s ID or city registration certification, PSA birth certificate/s of their child/children, barangay certification indicating that they are solo parents and that they are interested to avail of the ordinance benefits, and supporting documents like Nullity of Marriage, Certificate of No Marriage, or the death certificate of the spouse, and a completed application form.
A social worker from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) will assess the solo parent applicants. If deemed eligible, a Solo Parent Identification Card will be given, which will be valid for a year, but may be renewed with another assessment and evaluation by CSWDO.
Persons with disabilities and senior citizens can apply, but families covered by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program are considered ineligible.
However, solo parents could be disqualified if either they have declared change in civil status from single to married, provision of occasional assistance by the other biological parent which meets the requirements under the Family Code of the Philippines, and when the solo parent co-habits with another individual which provides financial assistance “with respect to the educational, medical and financial needs in favor of the child of the solo parent” which can meet support requirements under the Code.
The ordinance is a big accomplishment for our solo parents in our city and their children,” 3rd District Councilor Tricia Ann Villafuerte, head of the committee on women, children, and family relations who authored the ordinance, said in the vernacular. (Ian Carl Espinosa/MindaNews)
