SOLO parents in the city will be entitled to discounted medicines, tuition and groceries under a measure that was approved by the Baguio City Council on final reading.
Vice Mayor Edison Bilog said the measure provides for a P1-million budget to cover the assistance that will be granted to more than 1,000 solo parents in the city.
The fund will be included in the city’s annual budget starting 2019.
Aside from the discounts on groceries, medicines and tuition, registered solo parents with valid identification cards will also be entitled to burial assistance.
Proponents Bilog and Councilor Faustino Olowan moved for discounts of solo parents with incomes under P250,000. Both aldermen have filed ordinances which seek to give solo parents and their children additional benefits over and above that which is offered in Republic Act No. 8972.
The approved law consolidates all measures filed before the august body.
Under the new law, solo parents or alone with the responsibility of parenthood may be defined due to the following circumstances: death of spouse, spouse is detained or is serving sentence; physical or mental incapacity of spouse, legal separation or de facto separation; declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage.
The law adds Department of Social Welfare and Development will facilitate acquisition of solo parent identification cards as well as validation of information by applicants. A seven-day leave is given to solo parents over and above the mandated leaves given by companies.
Persons or companies found violating the new law will be penalized a P1,500 fine for the first offense; P2,500 for the second offense; P5,000 fine and closure of business as may be ordered by the appropriate implementing agency for the third offense.
If the violator is a corporation, organization, or any similar entity, the officials and employees directly involved will be individually liable and penalized.
Persons found guilty of falsification of documents to avail of the solo parent benefits will also be fined P5,000 or one month imprisonment or both at the discretion of the court.
For the region there is an estimated 7,000 registered solo parents. The law will take effect after 15 days after publication.