SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go welcomed the enactment of Republic Act 11861 into law, which amends RA 8972 or the “Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000,” granting ADDITIONAL BENEfiTS TO SOLO PARENTS. “The privileges and benefits awarded to them before this law are insufficient for the complexity of their needs. It is just right to give them the additional support they need and benefits they deserve,” said Go, one of the authors and co-sponsors of the measure in the Senate.

RA 11861 mandates the creation of the Package of Social Protection Services for solo parents and their children through the collaboration of various government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, and Department of Education (DepEd).

Included in the package are financial assistance for those earning minimum wage and below, 10 percent discount on food and micronutrient supplements, diapers, medicines, and prioritization in housing and livelihood programs from the government.

“These additional benefits include providing solo parents with special discounts on basic purchases, such as baby’s milk and food, and medicine. DepEd, CHEd (Commission on Higher Education) and Tesda (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) will also provide scholarship programs for solo parents,” Go added.

The law also provides a seven-day parental leave with pay for all solo parents working in the government or private sector and a comprehensive package of social protection services, such as livelihood development services and legal and counseling services. It also lowers the required period of separation to be considered a solo parent to six months.

“These amendments will help as many solo parents as possible, to help them build a stronger family, and to support them as productive members of society,” Go said.