DSWD advocates laws on solo Parents, domestic workers

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 9 (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development 10 (DSWD-10) conducted an Advocacy Forum on Republic Act 8972 or The Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000 and Republic Act 10361 or The Domestic Workers Welfare Act on June 21 at Cagayan de Oro City.

There were 50 participants comprising local social workers, solo parents advocates, as well as people’s organization representatives in the forum.

Deputy Provincial Prosecutor of Misamis Oriental Atty. Malou Romualdo-Sumalpong who specializes in family court cases, discussed Republic Act No. 8972.

According to her, the law aims to help solo parents who find it difficult to cope being a single parent.

Promulgated on November 7, 2000, RA 8972 is the Philippine law on single parents.

The law provides comprehensive program of services for solo parents and their children to be carried out by DSWD, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the National Housing Authority, the Department of Labor and Employment, and other related government and non-government agencies. (Sec. 2, RA 8972).

A person is considered a single parent if:

A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without final conviction of the offender: provided that the mother keeps and raises the child;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to death of spouse;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood while the spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one year;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least one year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of children;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to declaration of nullity of annulment of marriage as decreed by a court or by a church as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of children;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to abandonment of spouse for at least one year;

Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep and rear her/his child/children instead of having others care for them or give them up to welfare institution;

Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children;

Any family member who assumes the responsibility of head of family as a result of the death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo parent.

A change in the status or circumstance of the parent claiming benefit under this Act, such that he/she is no longer left alone with the responsibility of parenthood, shall terminate his/her eligibility for these benefits.

Meanwhile, the speaker shared the details of the new law on Republic Act No. 10361 also known as “The Batas Kasambahay.” The law elaborates on the new approved rights and privileges of the domestic workers and employment terms and conditions as stipulated in the memorandum of agreement.

The law signed January 18 by President Aquino sets the minimum wage of household service workers in the country to P2,500 a month for those employed in the National Capital Region; P2,000 a month for those employed in chartered cities and first class municipalities; and P1,500 a month for those employed in other municipalities.

Sumalpong said the purpose of the law is to protect the rights and provide better privileges of domestic workers for them to become more productive citizens of the country. She said they have contributed a lot in the daily activities of our family and the community as well. (Hacelyn B. Barrero/RTP/PIA10)