THE Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao (DSWD-Davao) is urging unregistered solo parents to sign up with the agency to access government benefits and services.
Sherlyn S. Concubierta, Social Welfare Officer and focal person for solo parents at DSWD-Davao, encouraged solo parents to visit their City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office to register and receive guidance on requirements.
“Amoa gyud gina awhag ang mga solo parents na magparegister and go to your CSWDO or if naa mo sa munisipyo, Municipality Social Welfare and Development Office, para mangayo ug requirements ug mahatagan ug orientation (We strongly encourage solo parents to register and go to your CSWDO, or if you are in a municipality, to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, to ask for the requirements and receive an orientation),” Concubierta said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday, April 21, 2025.
Concubierta said that under the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act (Republic Act No. 11861), benefits have been expanded from the original Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000. These benefits include medical assistance for working solo parents, scholarships for their children, flexible work hours through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and a solo parent booklet from the Department of Health (DOH).
As of 2024, there are about 7,550 solo parents in the Davao Region, with unmarried individuals, widows/widowers, and relatives raising a solo parent's child making up the top three categories. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 3,146 solo parents have registered.
Concubierta noted that many solo parents are still unregistered or have not renewed their registration, based on local government monitoring. To address this, DSWD-Davao is working with LGUs to encourage registration, particularly in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (Gida).
DSWD-Davao is also celebrating Solo Parent Week with the theme: “Solo Parents na Rehistrado, sa Gobyerno Tiyak na Suportado” (Registered Solo Parents are Surely Supported by the Government). Solo parents can visit the Solo Parent Help Desk at SM Lanang for assistance during the celebration. RGP
