House of Representatives Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo is calling for amendments to Republic Act (RA) 11861, also known as the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, citing that its intended assistance is not reaching the beneficiaries effectively.
“The Solo Parent Law, or Republic Act No. 11861, is not properly being implemented and is not fully helping its beneficiaries,” Tulfo emphasized in a statement on Thursday.
Solo Parents in Poverty
According to the World Health Organization, around half of the country’s estimated 15 million solo parents live below the poverty line, highlighting the urgent need for more effective support mechanisms.
Under the Expanded Solo Parents Act of 2022, indigent single parents are entitled to a PHP1,000 monthly allowance and discounts on specific grocery items. However, Tulfo pointed out that the benefits remain inaccessible for many.
“Ayon sa Expanded Solo Parent Act of 2022, dapat may monthly allowance na PHP1,000 ang mga indigent single parents at diskwento sa mga certain grocery items (Based on the Expanded Solo Parent Act of 2022, there must be PHP1,000 monthly allowance for indigent single parents and discount on certain grocery items),” Tulfo said.
Challenges in Implementation
Tulfo noted that many local government units (LGUs), especially in underprivileged municipalities, struggle to allocate funds for solo parents. “If not deficient, there were times the monthly allowance was delayed, or worse, totally undelivered because the law assigned the city or the town where the beneficiaries reside, to shoulder the payment of the PHP1,000 assistance,” he said.
Additionally, some retail stores have expressed concerns about the cumulative impact of mandated discounts for various groups, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and now solo parents.
Proposed Amendment
To address these gaps, Tulfo suggested amending the law to shift the financial responsibility for indigent solo parents’ assistance from local government units to the national government.
“Bagamat maganda ang layunin, may butas ang batas na ito na kailangan ayusin agad para mapakinabangan ng mga solo parents (Though the law has a good purpose, it has loopholes that should be fixed immediately so that solo parents would benefit from it),” he said.
Tulfo has already filed a bill seeking a review and amendment of RA 11861 to ensure that the law fulfills its objectives of aiding solo parents and alleviating poverty among vulnerable families.