Posted on by Gayle-Zanneth

Ms. Elgin Mazo, Focal Person for the Family Sector, from DSWD Central Office, lays down the comprehensive programs and services under the Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000 before the solo parents present during the dialogue.
Ms. Elgin Mazo, Focal Person for the Family Sector, fromDSWD Central Office, lays down the comprehensive programs and services under the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000 before the solo parents and other guests present during the dialogue.

Queries and recommendations from solo parents arose during  the Consultation/Dialogue with Solo Parents on the Comprehensive Package of Social Welfare Development Programs and Services held recently in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

During the said event, the participants aired their concerns relative to the benefits and services afforded to them by virtue of the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000 where amendments to the said law is now being crafted in the House of Representatives.

“Sana meron din kaming discount sa aming electric at water bills gayundin sa mga grocery items, gamot at transportasyon,” said one of the solo parents from the province of Isabela.

These views of the solo parents were aired in the presence of other participants from the Local Government Units from the different provinces in the region and other representatives of the partner agencies.

Meanwhile, Ms. Elgin Mazo, Focal Person for the Family Sector from the Protective Services Bureau, DSWD Central Office, revisited the comprehensive programs and services mandated under the said law having in mind the concerns and queries of the participants.

“It appears that the public in general has limited knowledge of the benefits provided under the said law and most often, their knowledge is limited to parental leave benefits,” Ms. Mazo said.

She explained  that other than parental leave benefits, solo parents enjoy services like livelihood development skills, social work counseling, parent effectiveness services, critical incidence stress debriefing, temporary shelter, legal assistance, flexible work schedule and scholarship programs for solo parents and their children, among others.

Furthermore, Ms. Lucy Alan, Head of Protective Services Unit, stressed that this dialogue is precisely intended to ferret out recommendations and resolutions from solo parents so that their recommendations  may be brought up to the proper authorities for local inter-agency and national level action.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development heads the interagency committee mandated to implement the said law in coordination with the DOH, DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA and DILG. ### GELA FLOR R. PEREZ, Regional Information Officer