Here are a few more Q and As on the Solo Parent’s Welfare Act. May all these answer help in securing the ID, leaves and other package of services available. The processing will take a while but the seven days additional leave is gonna be worth it. Note that one can avail of the leave even without an ID yet (for they are not issued automatically), as long as there is a certification of eligibility issued by the social worker. Visit the website of DSWD for more information.
Q. What are the Steps Necessary to Avail the Package of Services
A. A solo parent shall apply for a Solo Parent Identification Card (Solo Parent ID) from the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office. Once the solo parent ID is issued by the city/municipal social welfare and development officer, a solo parent can apply for services he/she needs from the C/MSWD office or to specific agencies providing such assistance/services.
Q. What are the requirements in securing a solo parent ID ?
A. (1) Barangay certificate residency in the area (2) documents /evidence that the applicant is a solo parent (e.g. death certificate of spouse, declaration of nullity of marriage, medical certificate (if incapacitated) (3) ITR or certification for the brgy./municipal treasurer
Q. What document/proof will I present if I have a child or de facto separation from my wife/husband?
A. A Certificate issued by the Barangay Captain indicating the circumstances of one’s being a solo parent.
Q. If I file the application, can this be secured right away?
A. No, the social worker has to complete first the assessment/evaluation of the solo parents situation. ID is issued after 30 days of filing. The validity of the ID is one year.
Q. In case of transferee ?
A. Applicant should seek first clearance from former Barangay where he/she will surrender his/her ID issue to him/her.
Q. If ID is not yet available at the C / Municipal level?
A. The Social Worker can issue a certification of eligibility, provided the assessment process is completed.
Q. Can one avail of Parental leave even without a Solo Parents ID?
A. As long as there is a certification of eligibility issued by the Social Worker.
Q. Is parental leave retroactive since the effectivity of the law was last November 2000?
A. No, Parental leave is non-cumulative and can be availed only during the current year. Further, it can only be availed after the issuance of the Solo Parents ID.
Q. If the LGU is not yet issuing solo parent ID, how can a Solo Parent avail of services particularly the parental leave?
A. A certification of eligibility issued by the social worker can be presented meantime that the ID is not yet available. However, the certification of eligibility can only be issued once the assessment/evaluation of the situation of solo parent is completed.
Q. Is the 7 day parental leave apart from the existing 3 days special leave?
A. The law clearly indicates that the granting of the 7 days parental leave is or top of the 3 day special leaves and other mandatory leave benefits.
Q. Can Solo Parents avail of maternity leave?
A. There is no provision in the law that there is a maternity leave for the Solo Parents, however, other laws can be applied.
Q. If I have already been issued an ID, where will I go to avail the benefits?
A. A solo parent can directly inquire from the following agencies for the availment of services
- Health Services (DOH)
- Educational Services (CHED, TESDA)
- NHA (Housing)
- Parental Leave (Employee of solo parent, DOLE, CSC)
Q. Are there any educational benefits for children who are in high school or elementary?
A. None, High School and Elementary education are free in public schools. CHED and TESDA only offer the study grant program and scholarship for college/tertiary/vocational to Solo Parents and their children who are living below poverty threshold.
Q. Are there Income Generating Project or livelihood programs?
A. Concerned agencies like DSWD, TESDA and DOLE provide skills development and livelihood program.
Q. What are the other programs / services?
A. Other services included in the comprehensive program consist of health, housing, and psychosocial services as well as livelihood and skills development program. A solo parent can directly inquire from the agencies concerned the requirement for the availment of services
AryaMarya 
13 comments
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December 14, 2009 at 9:43 am
Dionita Senson
In Quezon City, year 2007 when the City Council released and ordinance asking every barangay officials to conduct a mass registration of solo parents in the city. Problem is….most of the barangay do not implement this ordinance. How can they be educated on R.A. 8972?
March 4, 2010 at 10:27 am
Mary Grace R. Vetus
yeah…there are no proper introduction of this law in the barangay levels…I’m one of the members of the Solo Parents and I’m the president as well….I’m also working in the barangay hall but whenever I try to talk regarding funds and other projects for the Solo Parents of our community they will always tell us that there are no funds allotted for us. They will always argue that we are a NGO and that all the provisions and allotment should only be done by the Municipal Office and not in the barangay levels… What does LGU’s mean if they are not one of them???? Just asking..Hope someone can enlighten me about these matters because I’m really trying hard to make this Law be known not only by the people in our community but also to our Barangay Officials…..If the barangay will not support us how can this Republic Act flourish and be known.
April 12, 2011 at 10:32 pm
mary
For me working in the Deped, we are not asking funds from the LGU for that 7 days leave benefits. It is given to us freely by the Deped, only if there is a solo parent ID or certification presented. Why The MSWD will not grant us? The officer said, it is not in their guidelines to provide us with any certification.
March 23, 2010 at 8:20 am
myra
Yes..me too is a single mom and I have been looking for years of any goverment assistance to single moms but to no avail. WHen in fact there is a law already that will help moms like me.The problem here is proper dessimination of public informations..ordinary moms cannot exercise the benefits proposed by the goverment.So please help many LGU to inform single moms of their benefits. To somehow ease the worries of parents about their child’s future.
May 28, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Anton Chapman
Incredibly great article! Truely.
May 31, 2010 at 9:42 pm
yani
How about my situation?.. yung biological father po nung anak ko who I never get married with- never nagbigay ng suporta (in any kind) kahit acknowledgement man lang as in wala. The last time we see each other was the time na sinabi ko sa kanya na buntis ako at sinabi niya na ayaw niya kaming panagutan, after that never na po siyang nagpakita o nag-effort man lang. Makakakuha po ba ako ng solo parent id? entitled po ba ako?
thanks!
April 12, 2011 at 10:28 pm
mary
Hi Yani. Of course..You are considered a solo parent..look for the guidelines Who are considered as solo parents. But the problem is LGU’s are not FAMILIAR with this Law. Even our LGU, the MSWD officer in our town, KABASALAN< ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY told me they only give certification to the indigenous people. They will not give me coz I'm a working mom. They deprived my right to avail the 7 days parental leve given by the Employer
October 30, 2011 at 6:20 am
Dia
Hi yani…sorry for the delay in answering your query. Yes of course you can avail of the identification card for solo parents. You, yourself is a solo parent and all you have to do is fill up application form coming from the social services development department of your munisipyo. A checklist of requirements will be given to you for submission….regards.
October 29, 2011 at 10:39 am
Ms.Claudine
Hi, good day. I recently encountered your page and is so grateful for the information i read. I want to avail of a solo parent leave and benefits since I have been one since my son’s birth nearly 11 years ago. I have never filed for this since I had sufficient leaves from my previous employers except for now. How can I avail of it and use the leaves if timeframe for processing is quite long however the year is about to end? I don’t want to pass this opportunity since my son’s birthday is coming up and i have no leave credits left. Your advise will be appreciated. Thanks and God bless.
Claudine
October 30, 2011 at 6:28 am
Dia
Hi Claudine….search for an R.A. 8972 on the internet, and you can read the part for additional leave and flexible working time for solo parents. In order to avail of these, you must first seek for an identification card, together with a copy of the R.A.8972 and present it to your HR.
If you happen to open your facebook account, pls “like” 4Ks: Task Force for Solo Parents. You can also participate in the discussion posted. Thanks and regards.
December 4, 2012 at 11:07 am
Karina Alan
I have been trying to ask about this but unfortunately even the barangay that I belong does not have any idea on how I can secure one. I only learned about this thru a labor seminar that I attended. I am separated from my husband for almost 10 years already. I do not have any idea where he is I only know he has a new family. No child support etc. I live in Cavite but works in Manila can someone enlighten me how to get one and where. Thank you
December 7, 2012 at 11:59 am
Dionita Bustillo-Senson
Hi! The Barangay Office can give you a barangay certification, certifying that you are a solo parent. Your minor child’s birth certificate (zerox copy) and an affidavit stating the circumstance of being a solo parent. Then, submit this to your municipal’s social services department. Dont forget to enclose your latest ID picture.
Good Luck…
April 5, 2014 at 8:04 am
marnie jane t. galvez
Hi! I just would like to know if solo parents have additional tax exemptions? It would really be a great help if we will be granted of it. Thanks very much!