Who qualifies as a solo parent under RA 8972?

A solo parent is any individual who alone provides parental care because of death, separation, abandonment, incarceration of a spouse, mental or physical incapacity of a spouse, or who is an unmarried parent who keeps the child, among other listed situations.

What income level is required to receive assistance?

Solo parents whose income is below the poverty threshold set by NEDA are eligible for assistance; those above the threshold still receive benefits like flexible work schedules and parental leave.

What is the parental leave benefit for solo parents?

A solo parent employee who has rendered at least one year of service is entitled to a maximum of seven working days of parental leave per year, on top of existing leave privileges.

Can an employer refuse to give a flexible work schedule to a solo parent?

No. Employers must provide a flexible work schedule for solo parents unless they obtain an exemption from the Department of Labor and Employment on meritorious grounds.

Are solo parents protected from discrimination at work?

Yes. No employer may discriminate against a solo parent employee in any terms or conditions of employment because of their solo parent status.

What scholarship opportunities are available for solo parents and their children?

The Department of Education, CHED, and TESDA must offer scholarship programs for qualified solo parents and their children at basic, tertiary, and technical/skills education levels, as well as non‑formal education programs.

How does the law help solo parents with housing?

Solo parents receive priority allocation in government low‑cost housing projects and are granted liberal payment terms, especially if they are classified below the poverty line.

What health services does the Act provide for solo parents?

The Department of Health must develop a comprehensive health‑care program for solo parents and their children, implemented through public hospitals and local health facilities.

RA 8972 - Solo Parents Welfare Act (2000)

Philippine lawLegal status not independently verified

In brief

AI summary. Verify against the source below.

The Solo Parents' Welfare Act (RA 8972) provides a range of benefits—such as flexible work schedules, parental leave, scholarships, housing, and health services—to solo parents who meet defined criteria, especially those below the poverty line. Government agencies coordinate to deliver these services, and employers are required to support solo parent employees.

Who it affects: The law applies to solo parents as defined in the Act and their dependent children.

Key provisions

Definition of solo parent. A solo parent is anyone who is solely responsible for caring for a child or children because of circumstances like death, separation, abandonment, incarceration of a spouse, or being an unmarried parent who keeps the child. [Section 3(a)]
Eligibility based on income. Solo parents whose household income is below the poverty threshold set by NEDA are eligible for assistance; those above the threshold still receive benefits like flexible work schedules and parental leave. [Section 4]
Flexible work schedule. Employers must allow solo parent employees a flexible work schedule that does not affect productivity, though an employer may seek an exemption from DOLE on meritorious grounds. [Section 6]
Protection from work discrimination. Employers cannot discriminate against solo parent employees in any terms or conditions of employment because of their solo parent status. [Section 7]
Parental leave entitlement. Solo parent employees who have worked at least one year are entitled to up to seven working days of parental leave each year, in addition to existing leave benefits. [Section 8]
Educational benefits. The Department of Education, CHED, and TESDA must provide scholarships and non‑formal education programs for qualified solo parents and their children. [Section 9]
Housing assistance. Solo parents are given priority allocation and liberal payment terms in government low‑cost housing projects, especially if they are below the poverty line. [Section 10]
Medical assistance. The Department of Health must create a comprehensive health‑care program for solo parents and their children, delivered through public hospitals and local health units. [Section 11]

Common questions

Who qualifies as a solo parent under RA 8972?: A solo parent is any individual who alone provides parental care because of death, separation, abandonment, incarceration of a spouse, mental or physical incapacity of a spouse, or who is an unmarried parent who keeps the child, among other listed situations. [Section 3(a)]
What income level is required to receive assistance?: Solo parents whose income is below the poverty threshold set by NEDA are eligible for assistance; those above the threshold still receive benefits like flexible work schedules and parental leave. [Section 4]
What is the parental leave benefit for solo parents?: A solo parent employee who has rendered at least one year of service is entitled to a maximum of seven working days of parental leave per year, on top of existing leave privileges. [Section 8]
Can an employer refuse to give a flexible work schedule to a solo parent?: No. Employers must provide a flexible work schedule for solo parents unless they obtain an exemption from the Department of Labor and Employment on meritorious grounds. [Section 6]
Are solo parents protected from discrimination at work?: Yes. No employer may discriminate against a solo parent employee in any terms or conditions of employment because of their solo parent status. [Section 7]
What scholarship opportunities are available for solo parents and their children?: The Department of Education, CHED, and TESDA must offer scholarship programs for qualified solo parents and their children at basic, tertiary, and technical/skills education levels, as well as non‑formal education programs. [Section 9]
How does the law help solo parents with housing?: Solo parents receive priority allocation in government low‑cost housing projects and are granted liberal payment terms, especially if they are classified below the poverty line. [Section 10]
What health services does the Act provide for solo parents?: The Department of Health must develop a comprehensive health‑care program for solo parents and their children, implemented through public hospitals and local health facilities. [Section 11]

Eleventh Congress

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SOLO PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines Congress assembled:

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the family as the foundation of the nation, strengthen its solidarity and ensure its total development. Towards this end, it shall develop a comprehensive program of services for solo parents and their children to be carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other related government and nongovernment agencies.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - Whenever used in this Act, the following terms shall mean as follows:

(a) "Solo parent" - any individual who falls under any of the following categories:

(1) A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without a final conviction of the offender: Provided, That the mother keeps and raises the child;

(2) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to death of spouse;

(3) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood while the spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one (1) year;

(4) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner;

(5) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least one (1) year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children;

(6) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as decreed by a court or by a church as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children;

(7) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to abandonment of spouse for at least one (1) year;

(8) Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep and rear her/his child/children instead of having others care for them or give them up to a welfare institution;

(9) Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children;

(10) Any family member who assumes the responsibility of head of family as a result of the death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo parent.

A change in the status or circumstance of the parent claiming benefits under this Act, such that he/she is no longer left alone with the responsibility of parenthood, shall terminate his/her eligibility for these benefits.

(b) "Children" - refer to those living with and dependent upon the solo parent for support who are unmarried, unemployed and not more than eighteen (18) years of age, or even over eighteen (18) years but are incapable of self-support because of mental and/or physical defect/disability.

(c) "Parental responsibility" - with respect to their minor children shall refer to the rights and duties of the parents as defined in Article 220 of Executive Order No. 209, as amended, otherwise known as the "Family Code of the Philippines."

(d) "Parental leave" - shall mean leave benefits granted to a solo parent to enable him/her to perform parental duties and responsibilities where physical presence is required.

(e) "Flexible work schedule" - is the right granted to a solo parent employee to vary his/her arrival and departure time without affecting the core work hours as defined by the employer.

Section 4. Criteria for Support. - Any solo parent whose income in the place of domicile falls below the poverty threshold as set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and subject to the assessment of the DSWD worker in the area shall be eligible for assistance: Provided, however, That any solo parent whose income is above the poverty threshold shall enjoy the benefits mentioned in Sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Act.

Section 5. Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare Services. - A comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families will be developed by the DSWD, DOH, DECS, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA and DILG, in coordination with local government units and a nongovernmental organization with proven track record in providing services for solo parents.

The DSWD shall coordinate with concerned agencies the implementation of the comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families. The package will initially include:

(a) Livelihood development services which include trainings on livelihood skills, basic business management, value orientation and the provision of seed capital or job placement.

(b) Counseling services which include individual, peer group or family counseling. This will focus on the resolution of personal relationship and role conflicts.

(c) Parent effectiveness services which include the provision and expansion of knowledge and skills of the solo parent on early childhood development, behavior management, health care, rights and duties of parents and children.

(d) Critical incidence stress debriefing which includes preventive stress management strategy designed to assist solo parents in coping with crisis situations and cases of abuse.

(e) Special projects for individuals in need of protection which include temporary shelter, counseling, legal assistance, medical care, self-concept or ego-building, crisis management and spiritual enrichment.

Section 6. Flexible Work Schedule. - The employer shall provide for a flexible working schedule for solo parents: Provided, That the same shall not affect individual and company productivity: Provided, further, That any employer may request exemption from the above requirements from the DOLE on certain meritorious grounds.

Section 7. Work Discrimination. - No employer shall discriminate against any solo parent employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment on account of his/her status.

Section 8. Parental Leave. - In addition to leave privileges under existing laws, parental leave of not more than seven (7) working days every year shall be granted to any solo parent employee who has rendered service of at least one (1) year.

Section 9. Educational Benefits. - The DECS, CHED and TESDA shall provide the following benefits and privileges:

(1) Scholarship programs for qualified solo parents and their children in institutions of basic, tertiary and technical/skills education; and

(2) Nonformal education programs appropriate for solo parents and their children.

The DECS, CHED and TESDA shall promulgate rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this program.

Section 10. Housing Benefits. - Solo parents shall be given allocation in housing projects and shall be provided with liberal terms of payment on said government low-cost housing projects in accordance with housing law provisions prioritizing applicants below the poverty line as declared by the NEDA.

Section 11. Medical Assistance. - The DOH shall develop a comprehensive health care program for solo parents and their children. The program shall be implemented by the DOH through their retained hospitals and medical centers and the local government units (LGUs) through their provincial/district/city/municipal hospitals and rural health units (RHUs).

Section 12. Additional Powers and Functions of the DSWD. — The DSWD shall perform the following additional powers and functions relative to the welfare of solo parents and their families:

(a) Conduct research necessary to: (1) develop a new body of knowledge on solo parents; (2) define executive and legislative measures needed to promote and protect the interest of solo parents and their children; and (3) assess the effectiveness of programs designed for disadvantaged solo parents and their children;

(b) Coordinate the activities of various governmental and nongovernmental organizations engaged in promoting and protecting the interests of solo parents and their children; and

(c) Monitor the implementation of the provisions of this Act and suggest mechanisms by which such provisions are effectively implemented.

Section 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - An interagency committee headed by the DSWD, in coordination with the DOH, DECS, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA, and DILG is hereby established which shall formulate, within ninety (90) days upon the effectivity of this Act, the implementing rules and regulations in consultation with the local government units, nongovernment organizations and people's organizations.

Section 14. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the budget of concerned government agencies in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.1awphil.net

Section 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, administrative orders or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 17. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.

(Sgd.)

JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines
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