Talisay okays solo parent welfare law

CEBU — The Talisay City council has adopted the Solo Parent Welfare Ordinance which provides benefits to single parents as provided for under Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parent Welfare Act of 2000.

City social welfare and development officer Felipa Solana said at least 438 solo parents have registered and have been given identification cards.

Solo parents can avail themselves of comprehensive packages of programs or services, including livelihood, self-employment and skills development, employment-related benefits, and psychosocial, educational, health and housing services.

RA 8972 provides for benefits and privileges to single parents and their children, appropriating funds for the purpose.

This law is to be carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and various government agencies.

By law, a single parent is defined as one who cares for a child alone either from the death of spouse, physical and mental incapacity of spouse, imprisonment of the spouse for at least a year, legal separation from spouse for at least a year, annulment of marriage and abandonment by spouse for at least a year.

A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and raises her child, an unmarried mother or father who has preferred to keep the child, or any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child provided he/she is a duly licensed foster parent of the DSWD, or duly appointed legal guardian through adoption, death and abandonment also qualify.

The ordinance was authored by councilor Shirley Belleza, chairwoman of the committee on women, family and minors.

The council also approved an appropriation of P150,000 to fully carry out the provisions and programs of the ordinance. — Freeman News Service