In support to the advocacy of solo parents to push for the amendments to RA 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will spearhead the Solo Parents Day celebration dubbed as “Handog ng DSWD Para sa Mga Solo Parents,” this Saturday, June 24, at the DSWD Central Office, Constitution Hills, Quezon City.
The whole-day event is envisioned as a venue where solo parents from the different cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby regions will be given an opportunity to directly address their issues and concerns to DSWD and other national government agencies involved in the implementation of RA 8972.
As the lead agency tasked to monitor the implementation of RA 8972, the Department has been actively advocating for the passage of amendments which will grant additional benefits to solo parents and their children.
Among the activities lined-up are: Information/Serbisyo Caravan of DSWD, Forum on Solo Parents Benefits under RA 8972, and showcase of talents of members of the Federation of Solo Parents Luzvimin.
The Information/Serbisyo Caravan features free services such as medical, legal, massage and haircut, and jobs fair. DSWD’s partner agencies for the event are the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Housing Authority (NHA), Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) and Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and other DSWD officials will attend the event to meet the solo parents from the communities and government offices and listen to their issues and concerns.
“Patuloy ang aming pakikipagtulungan sa mga organisasyon ng solo parents katulad ng Federation of Solo Parents LuzViMin upang maabot ang mga solo parents sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa at mabigyan sila ng sapat na kaalaman tungkol sa batas at mga benepisyong nakapaloob dito (We continue to coordinate with solo parents organizations like the Federation of Solo Parents LuzViMin to reach solo parents all over the country and to provide them with adequate knowledge on the law and the benefits included here),” Sec. Taguiwalo stated.
“Kailangang tulungan ng pamahalaan at komunidad ang mga solong magulang dahil mag-isa nilang binabalikat ang mga responsibilidad ng isang ama at ina sa kanilang mga anak (The government and community need to help solo parents because they shoulder the responsibilities of both father and mother to their children),” Sec. Taguiwalo added.
“Isang paraan ng pagtulong sa mga solo parents ay ang pagtatayo ng day care centers at activity centers sa mga barangay kung saan pwedeng iwanan ang mga anak habang nagtatrabaho ang mga magulang. Sa pamamagitan nito ay panatag ang loob ng mga solo parents na nasa ligtas na lugar ang kanilang anak upang makapagtrabaho sila nang maayos (One form of assistance to solo parents is the establishment of day care centers and/or activity centers where parents can leave their children while they are working. This way, solo parents are confident that their children are in safe places so they can focus on their work),” she expounded.
The celebration of Solo Parents Day is also in line with the agency’s mantra of “Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo” and “Patas na Pagtrato sa Komunidad.” ###
