I got myself a SOLO PARENT ID

Today, I finally got my solo parent ID.

And after much putting off, I finally had the nerve to do the DSWD interview. Not that I was apprehensive of the questions that they will throw my way, I was more scared of the looks my small town folks would give whenever I make the rarer than rare appearances.

The fact that I am a solo parent in this small town still raises some eyebrows.

But, thankfully, I have gotten used to it and I have learned that there is ABSOLUTELY nothing shameful in being a single mother. In fact, I am a proud solo parent. Not everyone can be a good parent. And certainly, not everyone can be a proud SOLO one too.

Why should Solo Parents get this ID? Because RA 8972 has outlined a number of benefits for solo parents that could help us juggle our duties wonderfully. Although solo parents who are considered above poverty level (all of us working solo parents) could not avail of the education, housing and medical appropriations, we are entitled to:

* Additional 7 Days Leave provided that we have (1) rendered at least one (1) year of service; (2) given notice to the employer within reasonable time frame andl (3) presented our SOLO PARENTS ID.

* No Work Discrimination.
* Flexible Working Hours

The Senators of this country are still debating whether to give solo parents the MUCH NEEDED discounts on medicines, hospitalization, diapers, milk, and other baby needs, but hopefully, soon, the SOLO PARENTS ID will have as much power as the SENIOR CITIZENS ( a whopping 20% off on everything necessary!)

I wish we also get some slack in our tax payables.

The SOLO PARENTS ID can be claimed from your DSWD Office, with the following requirements to be presented:

1. Barangay Certification (Proof of Residency and Testament of Solo Parenting)
2. Certificate of Employment/Income Tax Return(Proof of Income)
3. 2 1x1 ID pictures (Proof of existence, lolz!)

We are to fill up this form that contains some questions like: Solo Parents Needs? and Solo Parents Family composition. And then proceed to the signing of the form and then, finally the ID.

I don't really get it too, but it feels good to have this one in my wallet. :)

To Read more on the act:
THE RA 8972 or Solo Parents Welfare Act


Republic Act No. 8972 or the “Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000”is the Philippine law on single parents. It was promulgated on November 7, 2000.

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

You are considered a single parent if you are:

[1] A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without a final conviction of the offender: Provided, That the mother keeps and raises the child;

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

[3] 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 (1) year;

[4] 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;

[5] Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least one (1) year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children;

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

[7] Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to abandonment of spouse for at least one (1) year;

[8] 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 a welfare institution;

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

[10] 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 benefits 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.

Who are considered as “children” under RA 8972?

The term “children” refers to those living with and dependent upon the solo parent for support who are unmarried, unemployed and not more than eighteen (18) years of age, or even over eighteen (18) years but are incapable of self-support because of mental and/or physical defect/disability.

*THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

A comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families will be developed by the DSWD, DOH, DECS, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA and DILG, in coordination with local government units and a nongovernmental organization with proven track record in providing services for solo parents.

The DSWD shall coordinate with concerned agencies the implementation of the comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families.

What are included in this package of services for single parents?

The package of services will initially include:

(a) Livelihood development services which include trainings on livelihood skills, basic business management, value orientation and the provision of seed capital or job placement.

(b) Counseling services which include individual, peer group or family counseling. This will focus on the resolution of personal relationship and role conflicts.

(c) Parent effectiveness services which include the provision and expansion of knowledge and skills of the solo parent on early childhood development, behavior management, health care, rights and duties of parents and children.

(d) Critical incidence stress debriefing which includes preventive stress management strategy designed to assist solo parents in coping with crisis situations and cases of abuse.

(e) Special projects for individuals in need of protection which include temporary shelter, counseling, legal assistance, medical care, self-concept or ego-building, crisis management and spiritual enrichment.

*FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE

It is the right granted to a solo parent employee to vary his/her arrival and departure time without affecting the core work hours as defined by the employer. Under Section 6 of RA 8972, the employer shall provide for a flexible working schedule for solo parents: Provided, That the same shall not affect individual and company productivity: Provided, further, That any employer may request exemption from the above requirements from the DOLE on certain meritorious grounds.

What about the issue of work discrimination, in terms of job assignments or promotion?

Section 7 of RA 8972 provides that no employer shall discriminate against any solo parent employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment on account of his/her status.

*EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The DECS, CHED and TESDA are mandated to provide the following benefits and privileges:

(1) Scholarship programs for qualified solo parents and their children in institutions of basic, tertiary and technical/skills education; and

(2) Nonformal education programs appropriate for solo parents and their children.

*HOUSING BENEFITS

Solo parents shall be given allocation in housing projects and shall be provided with liberal terms of payment on said government low-cost housing projects in accordance with housing law provisions prioritizing applicants below the poverty line as declared by the NEDA.

*MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

The DOH shall develop a comprehensive health care program for solo parents and their children. The program shall be implemented by the DOH through their retained hospitals and medical centers and the local government units (LGUs) through their provincial/district/city/municipal hospitals and rural health units (RHUs).

Solo Parents Rights

I've been a solo parent for about 3 years now. And though motherhood is rewarding, everyday has not exactly been a bed of roses.

The first time I came home, with this little baby in my arms, unsure of what the future holds for the both of us, I remember standing in the airport, waiting for a ride home and keeping the dam of tears in.

I held on to that facade until being strong was the only thing I know doing. I juggled jobs, motherhood, and writing in 24 hours. It wasn't easy before. And it isn't easy now. But being strong inside has become a part of my living that being the other way isn't really an option anymore.

The difficult times always come when little one gets sick and either I have just enough to buy medicine or just enough to pay the bills. And there's always the chance the boss won't allow you to take a leave. And of course, coming home to a conservative town doesn't always make it easy for solo parents like me to blend in.

And though I am still in some kind of a limbo, as my civil status has remained stuck somewhere in the grey areas, I am for a fact a solo parent.

The law protects the rights of solo parents and our legislators acknowledge our existence and the rights we have to better future, more opportunities and a loud voice in our society.

RA 8972 or the Solo Parents Act of the Philippines is a comprehensive act that provides benefits and privileges to solo parents and their children. It was signed into law in November 2000 and its implementing rules was approved in April 2002.

As defined by the Act:

A solo parent is any individual...among others, "Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children"

It provides us with:

* Solo parents can avail of the 7-day parental leave that is mandated by law. It is above the special day and mandatory leaves. Esp when parents need to attend to a child's needs.
* Flexible work schedule

A bill is being passed that enable solo parents to avail of discounts on child's clothing, medicine, milk and diapers. Though it has not been signed and put into effect just yet, this bill would surely help a lot of solo parents when it will be.

Solo parents are encouraged to obtain the Solo Parents ID from DSWD the soonest possible. The requirements would include Barangay Certificate of Residence, supporting documents (like annullment, ITR, etc), and if you are like me who's still in a kinda limbo, we can secure a certificate issued by the Barangay Captain indicating the circumstances of one's being a solo parent.

For more of this you can read on:

Apart from the assurance that the law is not sleeping on us, we know that no matter how minor solo parents can be in a staunchly conservative society, we still have a voice.

Now, don't you think being a chicsinglemommie rocks?! :D

Keep your head up, love. The world hasn't gone too heavy just yet and Atlas still hasn't shrugged!