New Law Gives Solo Parents Monthly Subsidy and Other Benefits

A new law aims to ease the burden of struggling solo parents in the country. Republic Act (RA) No. 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2020 lapsed into law on June 4 without the signature of former President Rodrigo Duterte in accordance with Article VI, Section 27 (1) of the Constitution.

The law entitles low-income solo parents, or those earning less than P250,000 annually, to a P1,000 subsidy in cash aid per month. They’re also entitled to a 10% discount and value-added tax (VAT) exemption on baby essentials, such as milk, food, micronutrient supplements, sanitary diapers, prescribed medicine, vaccines, and other medical supplements.

Other benefits they can receive are paid parental leaves (for seven working days), education benefits (scholarships for solo parents and a full scholarship for one child), social safety assistance, prioritization in housing projects, and more.

“I’m intimately familiar with the feeling of not being sure how to pay for my children’s tuition, not knowing who can accompany me if one of them gets sick,” said Senator Risa Hontiveros, who sponsored and championed the bill before its passage.

Under the law, a solo parent refers to anyone who supports children who are unemployed, unmarried, and 22 years old and below. If a child is over the age of 22 but is unable to fully take care of themselves due to disability (physical or mental), the term “solo parent” still applies. For more information, a copy of the law is available online at the Senate of the Philippines’ website.