Quezon City: Spouses of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been working abroad for a year or more and belong to the low or semi-skilled worker category will now be recognized as solo parents, granting them the benefits and privileges provided by law, an official from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on Thursday. This development aims to acknowledge the sole parental responsibilities shouldered by these individuals while their partners are abroad.
According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Ada Colico of the DSWD Statutory Programs under the Operations Group clarified the policy during a media forum at the agency's Central Office in Quezon City. She explained that the recognition applies to those who have been working abroad for a continuous period of one year or more. Even if financial support is provided, the spouse caring for the children alone qualifies as a solo parent under Republic Act No. 11861, also known as the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.
The law defines a solo parent as one who provides sole parental care and support due to circumstances such as abandonment, rape, death of a spouse, detention of a spouse for at least three months, legal separation, or annulment. It also includes spouses with physical or mental disabilities. The expanded definition aims to encompass the diverse situations faced by parents and legal guardians who are the sole providers for their children.
In addition to spouses of OFWs, legal guardians, adoptive or foster parents, and relatives within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity who solely provide for a child are eligible to apply as solo parents. Pregnant women who are the sole caregivers to their unborn children can also apply.
Colico highlighted the benefits available under RA 11861, which include a monthly cash subsidy of PHP1,000 for those earning minimum wage or below, automatic coverage under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) through PhilHealth, and prioritization in housing and employment opportunities. Solo parents earning less than PHP250,000 annually can also benefit from a 10 percent discount and VAT exemption on essential purchases such as milk, food, and prescribed medicines for their children up to six years old.
Educational opportunities are also extended to solo parents and their children through scholarships and programs offered by the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Colico advised solo parents to register with their local government units (LGUs) to access these benefits, emphasizing that the DSWD does not issue solo parent IDs. Instead, IDs are provided by city or municipal social welfare and development offices and must be renewed annually.
