IRR for law giving added benefits to single parents signed

The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, which is seen to provide relief amid rising prices of basic commodities, was signed on Thursday.

The ceremonial signing was attended by Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas, and Malasakit at Bayanihan party-list Representative Anthony Golez Jr.

The law grants a P1,000 monthly cash subsidy to a solo parent who is earning minimum wage and below. It also provides a 10% discount and Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption on milk, diapers and other medicines for children, as well as expands the definition of solo parent to cover legal guardian and a relative caring for a child.

"State intervention is necessary to assist solo parents in rearing their children and provide assistance and relief to them, such as access to quality education, adequate and proper health care services, and affordable and quality food, clothing, and medicines," Brosas, one of the authors of the measure, said during the event.

The law, Brosas said, "will bring huge relief, especially for struggling solo mothers, who comprise more than two-thirds of solo parents in the country."

Brosas said the amended measure now grants solo parents seven days of non-cumulative parental leave with pay, regardless of their employment status.

"In the old law, one must have rendered at least one year of employment. Now, even if you are only employed for six months, you are already entitled to a parental leave," she said.

Brosas assured the public that the law will be properly implemented.  —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News