DSWD’s Tulfo orders swift creation of IRR for solo parents welfare act

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo on Tuesday ordered the swift creation of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to operationalize the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.

Tulfo said a technical working group (TWG) was created to draft the IRR of the new law providing a P1,000 monthly cash subsidy for low-income solo parents, among other additional benefits.

The DSWD secretary said he directed the TWG to finalize the IRR of the law within the 90 days prescribed period, adding that “the solo parents will be able to receive the benefits immediately.”

“The new law will be of great help to solo parents, especially that they are raising their children single-handedly,” Tulfo said in a statement.

Aside from the P1,000 monthly cash assistance for low-income solo parents, the new law also provides a 10% discount on certain medicines for low-income solo parents with children aged six years old and below, prioritization in low-cost housing, PhilHealth coverage, workforce, apprenticeships, livelihood training, reintegration programs for Overseas Filipino Workers, employment information/matching services, educational scholarships, and other anti-poverty initiatives of the government.

Furthermore, the new law allows solo parents to receive these benefits until their children turn 22 years old.

Under the law, a solo parent with children in school will also be priority in the selection of new beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program if the income is within or below minimum wage.  

Tulfo said the solo parent may also apply for livelihood assistance under the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the DSWD.

“With the new law in place, it is expected that more poor families headed by single parents will be assisted to have an improved quality of life,” he added.

The Palace released a copy of the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act which lapsed into law last June 4. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News