photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/epsos/
It's tough enough being a solo parent but being a single mom in a traditionally Catholic country is even tougher. Well, I heard stories of discrimination but thankfully so far, none has come my way. I did get to be an expert in gracefully dodging propositions from mostly rich married men.
Anyway, single parents should know their rights and privileges and not a lot know about the Solo Parent Act of the Philippines which was approved by President Joseph Estrada in 2000 and promulgated in the same year.
Through this law, single parents will have these benefits among others:
- Parental leave of seven (7) days every year provided the parent is an employee who has rendered service for more than a year, in addition to leave privileges
- Flexible Work schedule
- Medical Assistance---comprehensive medical program provided by the DOH for single parents and their children
- Educational Benefits for children of solo parents.
To avail of the benefits, one must apply for the solo parent ID at the from the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office. To get a Solo Parent ID, the parent needs to present:
- Barangay certificate residency in the area
- Documents /evidence that the applicant is a solo parent (e.g. death certificate of spouse, declaration of nullity of marriage, medical certificate (if incapacitated)
- ITR or certification for the barangay/municipal treasurer
Thanks for these reminders. Would definitely get a solo parent ID because of these benefits! Thanks because your blog is enough for me which doesn't require me to get a lawyer Philippines to understand this.
ReplyDelete