Implementation and Information Campaign
for RA 8972 known as the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000

Senator Loren Legarda has filed Senate Bill No. 1429 entitled “Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2010.” According to SB 1429, a “solo parent” is a parent who is solely responsible for parenthood of a child or children due to his or her spouse’s death, imprisonment, mental incapacity, or legal separation. Women who got pregnant due to sexual abused are also considered as “solo parents.” SB 1429 grants qualified solo or single parents to benefits such as:
1. Ten percent (10%) discount from all purchases of clothing and clothing materials for the child from birth up to two years;
2. Fifteen (15%) discount from all purchases of baby’s milk, food and food supplements;
3. Fifteen (15%) percent discount from all purchases of medicines and other medical supplements/supplies for the child; and
4. Basic personal exemption from individual income tax.

While SB 1429 is still pending in the Senate, we already have Republic Act No. 8972 known as the “Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000” and entitled as “An Act Providing for Benefits and Privileges to Solo Parents and their Children, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes.”

RA 8972 was promulgated in November 7, 2000, almost 10 years ago. Among others, it provides a working definition of a solo parent and lists the benefits and privileges that the government should extend to eligible solo parents.

Section 5 of RA 8972 is as follows:
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.

I would like to underscore the role of our local government in the implementation of RA 8972 for the benefit of the eligible solo parents in Davao City.

Section 5 further states the following:
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.
Sections 7 – 11 further extends the benefits and privileges of eligible solo parents against work discrimination, for parental leaves, educational benefits, housing benefits, and medical assistance.

The Approved Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 8972 provides for the Application Process and specific benefits for eligible solo parents. The IRR was approved in 2002.

Eight years after, there is little information regarding RA 8972. Very few solo parents are registered and have availed of their benefits and privileges. As per Section 5, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and other concerned agencies will work in coordination with local government units.

I believe that the Davao City Government and the City Council should take a more active part in the implementation of RA 8972 and in the dissemination of information regarding this.

I would like to refer this matter to the Committee on Social Services led by Chairman Tomas Monteverde IV and the Committee on Women, Children and Family Relations led by Chairwoman Maria Lea Librado, and other concerned committees.

I believe that this is an urgent matter that the city government should legislate and implement.

• 666. Application for the renewal of the accreditation of the El Grande Multi-Purpose Cooperative with the City Government of Davao, pursuant to the provisions of RA 7160.
• 667. Application for the accreditation of the Kilusang Magkaibigan Multi-Purpose Cooperative with the City Government of Davao, pursuant to the provisions of RA 7160.
• 669. Application for the accreditation of the Smoke Fish Vendors Livelihood Association with the City Government of Davao, pursuant to the provisions of RA 7160.
• 670. Application for the accreditation of the St. Jude Women’s Association with the City Government of Davao, pursuant to the provisions of RA 7160.

RA 7160 is also known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

All resolutions were approved unanimously, after individual committee reports were presented based on committee hearings held.

Dayanghirang will vacate the chairmanship of the City Council Committee on Peace and Public Safety.

In June 7, 2007 a popular chain of supermarkets launched the campaign in Metro Manila aimed towards encouraging shoppers to use reusable bags when buying groceries. The campaign consisted of distributed reusable cloth bags that their shoppers can use when they shop. The campaign has earned praise and recommendation from various sectors for its simple but sustainable effort in reducing the amount of plastic bags used in shopping. Some of the participating supermarkets even charge a fee for their plastic bags to encourage their shoppers to use the reusable bags. The chain of supermarkets is only one of the handful establishments in Metro Manila to have this kind of campaign. Some local bag makers have even designed and sell their own reusable shopping bags that have become a fad among shoppers in Metro Manila. The chain’s Davao City branch is also part of the campaign and is also distributing reusable bags to local shoppers.

This effort is laudable in that it is simple and doable for everybody to do their share in significantly lessening the amount of plastic bags wasted via shopping. We should commend and encourage similar efforts and campaigns by local establishments. Let us call on other local supermarkets, groceries, and malls to encourage the use of reusable bags for their shoppers.

A concerted effort by Davao shoppers will create a big and remarkable impact on the amount of solid waste we generate. Plastics are difficult to recycle. Moreover platic bags used to contain wet market goods are difficult to reuse. The disposal of plastics are also a big environmental concern. And over time, the production and use of plastic bags, however convinient it may seem, cost so much more than the production, use and reuse of reusable bags.

We should further support and promote this campaign and encourage similar efforts to help our environment.

How can the senior citizens of the Philippines be a pitiful lot, when there is an Expanded Senior Citizens Act?

It asserts that changed moral values is the main culprit for problems faced by the Filipino elderly. Businesses see the Expanded Senior Citizens Act as being bad for business.

Read here for more on the special report.

General Objective:
To upgrade and sustain the local government’s socio-economic, social and political plans and programs in order to uplift the living condition of the Dabaweños. Particularly, I will focus on the following areas of concern:

1. Youth Empowerment and Development
2. Women’s Privilege Advocacy
3. Senior Citizens Right to Productive Lives

Councilors Karlo Bello, Louie John Bonguyan, and Teresita Mata-Marañon are set to jointly propose legislative measures encouraging and institutionalizing the “bayanihan system” in Davao City.

Read the rest of the article here.