14m Filipinos are single parents

At least 13.9 million Filipinos are single parents who carry the burden of raising their family by themselves.

On This premise, a party-list lawmaker, Rep. Carol Jayne Lopez has asked President Aquino to certify as urgent a bill proposing amendments to the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2002.

Lopez of You Against Corruption and Poverty, a solo parent herself, said that the President’s support for the measure is the key to have the measure enacted.

Under HB 6184, Lopez sought to grant single parents, guardians or foster parents wide-ranging benefits because of their huge responsibility in society.

“We must remember that our People Power icon and former President Corazon Aquino herself became virtual solo parent following the assassination of former Senator Benigno Aquino in 1983. We can therefore say her son President Aquino clearly understands the enormous challenges facing solo parents who are raising their families by themselves,” said Lopez, vice chairman of the House committee on government enterprises and privatization.

Government statistics have shown that solo parents constitute about 14 to 15 percent of the estimated 94 million Filipinos, Lopez said.

Last Monday, The House approved on third and final reading the Lopez bill amending the Solo Parent Welfare Act of 2000.

Zamboanga Rep. Seth Frederick Jalosjos, Manila Rep. Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, and 200 congressmen co-authored HB 6184.

At the Senate, Senators Edgardo Angara and Francis Escudero, another single parent, have filed counterpart bills amending the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000.

Under the House version, expanded benefits provided for single parents include housing, comprehensive package of social benefits, flexible work schedule, parental leave, educational benefits or scholarships, among others.

It provided for additional benefits such as 10 percent discount on children’s clothing materials for all purchases made within two years from the birth of the child; 15 percent discount on baby’s milk and food supplements in the first two years of a child; and 15 percent discount on all purchases of medicine and other medical supplements or supplies. –Maricel Cruz & filed under Nation, Manila Standard Today