OVER 1,170 solo parents in Lapu-Lapu City received a P3,000 quarterly cash aid on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
The distribution of the financial assistance was held at Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob to celebrate the Solo Parent Week in the city. The event had a theme “Solo Parent na Rehistrado, sa Gobyerno Tiyak na Suportado,” reaffirming the City Government’s continued support for solo parents and their families.
Solo parent focal person Cherish Raquel Lofranco said that while the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act mandates monthly assistance, Lapu-Lapu City implements a quarterly release for better management.
“As per the law, the assistance is monthly, but the City Government of Lapu-Lapu City releases it quarterly,” she said.
She added that the number of registered solo parents continues to grow, with almost 3,000 already recorded, though registration is ongoing.
“The complete number is still being finalized due to ongoing registrations,” Lofranco said.
She added that the City also plans to distribute booklets to solo parents with children aged six and below, as mandated by law.
“This is one of the mandates of the law, and we are preparing a memo and coordinating with concerned offices before implementation,” she said.
In addition to financial assistance, the City Government also extends medical and livelihood support to solo parents who are most in need.
“Padayon ang among suporta sa mga solo parents, not only sa financial aspect,” Lofranco said.
The City reportedly allocates P12 million annually to support solo parent initiatives under the local government unit (LGU).
With increasing numbers of solo parents availing themselves of government services, efforts are also being made to ensure fair and accurate distribution.
Officials also mentioned the importance of reducing ineligible entries in the system, sometimes referred to as IEDs individuals who claim benefits despite not meeting eligibility criteria.
“Sometimes, voters list people as solo parents even if they have a partner or their children are already grown,” one concerned LGU staff member remarked.
“We’ve seen cases where the supposed ‘only child’ is already 52 years old or independent,” said Lofranco.
Despite such issues, the City is determined to strengthen its vetting processes while continuing to uplift genuine solo parents.
Among the recipients was Veronica Espinosa, a 39-year-old solo mother who has been raising her three children alone for the past 14 years.
Despite being blind since birth, Veronica has worked tirelessly to provide for her children, selling candles, seashells, fried peanuts, and even singing in public to earn income.
Veronica emphasized how her worsening high blood pressure has forced her to slow down and take daily medications. This adds to the financial challenges of raising her children.
“Mas lesser na karon kay naa na koy sakit. Nag-maintenance na ko,” she said.
Her eldest child, now 20, already has a child of their own. Her second child, 18, is still studying. Meanwhile, her youngest suffers from epilepsy, which also requires maintenance medication.
“Lisod gyud. Ako mismo nag-maintenance, nya ga-maintenance pud akong ikatulong anak,” Veronica said.
Despite these hardships, she said she chose not to seek a partner and instead devotes her life to her children.
“Ako ra giampo sa Ginoo nga unta dili ko maglisod sa pagpangwarta matag adlaw,” she said, hoping only for enough strength to survive and provide each day.
She expressed gratitude for the government support, saying, “Pareho ra mi tanan nadawat. Ang 3K, dakong tabang na.” (Hilary Natalie Berongoy, HNU intern/Yvon Maratas, Benedicto College intern)