Northern Samar 1st Representative Paul Daza filed House Bill 44, or the proposed “Child Support Enforcement Act,” that aims to protect the interests of children of separated couples. 

While there are policies like RA 8971, or the Solo Parent Welfare Act, and RA 9261, or the Violence Against Women and Children Act, Daza said that there is a need to hold “irresponsible” parents accountable. 

The bill mandates PHP6,000 per month per child as financial support from non-custodial parents. 

“It’s about time that we enact a law that will protect our children from balasubas (coarse) parents. Imagine, these children did not choose to be born; why will they be the ones to suffer more when their parents decide to separate?” he said.

The bill proposes that probation may be granted to a first offender. But for succeeding offenses, the penalty is imprisonment of two to four years, and a fine of not less than PHP100,000 or not more than PHP300,000 at the discretion of the court.

House Bill 44 would also enable government agencies to withhold issuance of government identification cards like passports and driver’s licenses, and other government transactions to neglectful parents. 

Photo Credit: House of Representatives Official Website