Solon pushes for welfare of solo parents through ‘active representation’

MANILA, Philippines — Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Partylist Representative Bernadette Herrera is pushing for the welfare of Filipino solo parents through active representation, which she said could help the government address their needs as breadwinners, guardians, and caregivers.

Herrera said helping solo parents have their voice and needs is part of her advocacy’s next steps.

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“For the next chapter of our journey, we want to empower solo parents through active representation and lead their call for more accessible and valuable programs and benefits – we want to serve them as the Solon ng Soloista,” she explained in a statement on Thursday.

The lawmaker added that they have shifted BH Partylist’s slogan from “I-angat ang Pamilya” (lift the family) to “I-angat and Lahat ng Pamilya” (lift all families), which she said emphasizes “inclusion and recognition of non-traditional family units, such as the ones headed by solo parents.”

“This is the natural evolution of our lifelong mission and advocacy to uplift Filipino families. While the ideal scenario is two parents working together to support, nurture, and guide their children, solo parents – or what we affectionately refer to as soloistas – essentially take on all the roles and responsibilities,” Herrera said.

Citing a study, Herrera noted that about most or 95 percent of approximately 15 million single parents in the Philippines are female, who she said face “discrimination when they try to avail of the benefits provided in the Solo Parent Act.”

“Even the simple act of acquiring a Solo Parent ID is confusing and difficult. Some establishments are not even aware that there is a law in place. Our goal is to help lighten the burden of Filipino solo parents, not to give them more bureaucratic difficulties or put them in situations where they need to explain themselves,” she said.

“Life is already so difficult as it is; imagine how challenging it is to care for, nurture, and raise a family. That’s already the major undertaking for two parents, how more so for soloistas?” We have a saying: those who have less in life, should have more in law. But why is it that solo parents are being left behind by the government whose very purpose is to help them?” she added.

The lawmaker said there is a need to expand the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act or Republic Act No. 11861 with the amendment of House Resolution No. 1681 lobbied by the BH Partylist to include spouses of OFWs in the Philippines among the solo parents.

By giving attention to this law, she said that the government can ensure its implementation through adequate funding.

Among those who pledged their support to the solo parents through discounts were YSA Skin Care Clinic and Medical depot. Both will offer a 10 percent discount to solo parents availing their services.