Solo parents carry a heavy responsibility as they are left alone to take care of their children. In 2015, the National Statistics Office (NSO) stated that there are about 14 million solo parents in the Philippines. This is why the national government took the initiative to pass Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000. While rearing children as a solo parent is difficult, the law has somehow made it easier or less burdensome. What are the benefits that solo parent can get from the government?

Sec. 5. Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare Services. - A comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families will be developed by the DSWD, DOH, DECS, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA and DILG, in coordination with local government units and a nongovernmental organization with proven track record in providing services for solo parents.

The DSWD shall coordinate with concerned agencies the implementation of the comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families. The package will initially include:

(a) Livelihood development services which include trainings on livelihood skills, basic business management, value orientation and the provision of seed capital or job placement.

(b) Counseling services which include individual, peer group or family counseling. This will focus on the resolution of personal relationship and role conflicts.

(c) Parent effectiveness services which include the provision and expansion of knowledge and skills of the solo parent on early childhood development, behavior management, health care, rights and duties of parents and children.

(d) Critical incidence stress debriefing which includes preventive stress management strategy designed to assist solo parents in coping with crisis situations and cases of abuse.

(e) Special projects for individuals in need of protection which include temporary shelter, counseling, legal assistance, medical care, self-concept or ego-building, crisis management and spiritual enrichment.

Sec. 6. Flexible Work Schedule. - The employer shall provide for a flexible working schedule for solo parents: Provided, That the same shall not affect individual and company productivity: Provided, further, That any employer may request exemption from the above requirements from the DOLE on certain meritorious grounds.

Sec. 7. Work Discrimination. - No employer shall discriminate against any solo parent employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment on account of his/her status.

Sec. 8. Parental Leave. - In addition to leave privileges under existing laws, parental leave of not more than seven (7) working days every year shall be granted to any solo parent employee who has rendered service of at least one (1) year.

Sec. 9. Educational Benefits. - The DECS, CHED and TESDA shall provide the following benefits and privileges:

(1) Scholarship programs for qualified solo parents and their children in institutions of basic, tertiary and technical/skills education; and

(2) Nonformal education programs appropriate for solo parents and their children.

The DECS, CHED and TESDA shall promulgate rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this program.

Sec. 10. Housing Benefits. - Solo parents shall be given allocation in housing projects and shall be provided with liberal terms of payment on said government low-cost housing projects in accordance with housing law provisions prioritizing applicants below the poverty line as declared by the NEDA.

Sec. 11. Medical Assistance. - The DOH shall develop a comprehensive health care program for solo parents and their children. The program shall be implemented by the DOH through their retained hospitals and medical centers and the local government units (LGUs) through their provincial/district/city/municipal hospitals and rural health units (RHUs).

It is the duty of every parent to their provide children's needs such as food, shelter and education. Children should also be protected against violence and harm, which can affect their development. Parents who are able to fulfill their obligations are praiseworthy. However, there are parents who choose to shirk their responsibility. In these cases, the children are the ones who suffer the consequences of parental neglect. If parents are not capable of rearing a child, can the court appoint another person to exercise parental authority?

Parental Authority

Chapter 1. General Provisions

Art. 209. Pursuant to the natural right and duty of parents over the person and property of their unemancipated children, parental authority and responsibility shall include the caring for and rearing them for civic consciousness and efficiency and the development of their moral, mental and physical character and well-being. (n)

Art. 210. Parental authority and responsibility may not be renounced or transferred except in the cases authorized by law. (313a)

Art. 211. The father and the mother shall jointly exercise parental authority over the persons of their common children. In case of disagreement, the father's decision shall prevail, unless there is a judicial order to the contrary.

Children shall always observe respect and reverence towards their parents and are obliged to obey them as long as the children are under parental authority. (311a) 

Art. 212. In case of absence or death of either parent, the parent present shall continue exercising parental authority. The remarriage of the surviving parent shall not affect the parental authority over the children, unless the court appoints another person to be the guardian of the person or property of the children. (n)

Art. 213. In case of separation of the parents, parental authority shall be exercised by the parent designated by the Court. The Court shall take into account all relevant considerations, especially the choice of the child over seven years of age, unless the parent chosen is unfit. (n)

No child under seven years of age shall be separated from the mother, unless the court finds compelling reasons to order otherwise.

Art. 214. In case of death, absence or unsuitability of the parents, substitute parental authority shall be exercised by the surviving grandparent. In case several survive, the one designated by the court, taking into account the same consideration mentioned in the preceding article, shall exercise the authority. (355a)

Art. 215. No descendant shall be compelled, in a criminal case, to testify against his parents and grandparents, except when such testimony is indispensable in a crime against the descendant or by one parent against the other. (315a)

Chapter 2. Substitute and Special Parental Authority

Art. 216. In default of parents or a judicially appointed guardian, the following person shall exercise substitute parental authority over the child in the order indicated:

(1) The surviving grandparent, as provided in Art. 214;

(2) The oldest brother or sister, over twenty-one years of age, unless unfit or disqualified; and 

(3) The child's actual custodian, over twenty-one years of age, unless unfit or disqualified.

Whenever the appointment of a judicial guardian over the property of the child becomes necessary, the same order of preference shall be observed. (349a, 351a, 354a)

Art. 217. In case of foundlings, abandoned, neglected or abused children and other children similarly situated, parental authority shall be entrusted in summary judicial proceedings to heads of children's homes, orphanages and similar institutions duly accredited by the proper government agency. (314a)

Art. 218. The school, its administrators and teachers, or the individual, entity or institution engaged in child care shall have special parental authority and responsibility over the minor child while under their supervision, instruction or custody.

Authority and responsibility shall apply to all authorized activities whether inside or outside the premises of the school, entity or institution. (349a)

Art. 219. Those given the authority and responsibility under the preceding Article shall be principally and solidarily liable for damages caused by the acts or omissions of the unemancipated minor. The parents, judicial guardians or the persons exercising substitute parental authority over said minor shall be subsidiarily liable.

The respective liabilities of those referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not apply if it is proved that they exercised the proper diligence required under the particular circumstances.

All other cases not covered by this and the preceding articles shall be governed by the provisions of the Civil Code on quasi-delicts.

Before Reproductive Health (RH) Law was implemented, there were mixed reactions from different sectors. Some deem its implementation as a great way to curb population growth while others are still throwing moral punches. RH Law was passed in 2014 and former President Fidel Ramos urges President Rodrigo Duterte to fully implement the law. 

This is because of the growing population of the country that creates a ripple effect on the growth of poverty rate. The law aims to support the poor by means of distributing modern methods of contraception. Although there is a decrease in population growth, which is at 2.1% per year, this is still high compared to the major countries in East Asia, which were able achieve the population growth rates below 2% per year. 

Here's a primer of RA No. 10354:

SEC. 19. Duties and Responsibilities. – (a) Pursuant to the herein declared policy, the DOH shall serve as the lead agency for the implementation of this Act and shall integrate in their regular operations the following functions:

(1) Fully and efficiently implement the reproductive health care program;

(2) Ensure people’s access to medically safe, non-abortifacient, legal, quality and affordable reproductive health goods and services; and

(3) Perform such other functions necessary to attain the purposes of this Act.

(b) The DOH, in coordination with the PHIC, as may be applicable, shall:

(1) Strengthen the capacities of health regulatory agencies to ensure safe, high quality, accessible and affordable reproductive health services and commodities with the concurrent strengthening and enforcement of regulatory mandates and mechanisms;

(2) Facilitate the involvement and participation of NGOs and the private sector in reproductive health care service delivery and in the production, distribution and delivery of quality reproductive health and family planning supplies and commodities to make them accessible and affordable to ordinary citizens;

(3) Engage the services, skills and proficiencies of experts in natural family planning who shall provide the necessary training for all BHWs;

(4) Supervise and provide assistance to LGUs in the delivery of reproductive health care services and in the purchase of family planning goods and supplies; and

(5) Furnish LGUs, through their respective local health offices, appropriate information and resources to keep the latter updated on current studies and researches relating to family planning, responsible parenthood, breastfeeding and infant nutrition.

(c) The FDA shall issue strict guidelines with respect to the use of contraceptives, taking into consideration the side effects or other harmful effects of their use.

(d) Corporate citizens shall exercise prudence in advertising its products or services through all forms of media, especially on matters relating to sexuality, further taking into consideration its influence on children and the youth.

Children are the ones who suffer the consequences when conflicts between their parents are irreparable. Without a doubt, bad blood exists between estranged spouses especially if one of them chooses to abandon the children. While settling differences between the husband and the wife is no longer a cause for concern, child custody and support are often the contested issues that require attention. If the husband has not fulfilled his obligations to give support, can the estranged wife demand support?

Under Article 203 of the Family Code, the obligation to provide support becomes demandable from the time the individual who has a right to receive support needs it for maintenance. However, it cannot be paid except from the date of judicial or extra-judicial demand.

The person obliged to give support must fulfill the obligation either by paying the allowance fixed or by maintaining or receiving in the family dwelling the person who has a right to receive support. However, the second option may not be considered due to moral or legal obstacle. Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000 and Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 are laws which provide assistance to women abandoned by their live-in partners or husband.

Republic Act 8972

“Section 4. Criteria for Support. - Any solo parent whose income in the place of domicile falls below the poverty threshold as set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and subject to the assessment of the DSWD worker in the area shall be eligible for assistance: Provided, however, That any solo parent whose income is above the poverty threshold shall enjoy the benefits mentioned in Sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Act.

Section 5. Comprehensive Package of Social Development and Welfare Services. - A comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families will be developed by the DSWD, DOH, DECS, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, NHA and DILG, in coordination with local government units and a nongovernmental organization with proven track record in providing services for solo parents.

The DSWD shall coordinate with concerned agencies the implementation of the comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families. The package will initially include:

(a) Livelihood development services which include trainings on livelihood skills, basic business management, value orientation and the provision of seed capital or job placement.

(b) Counseling services which include individual, peer group or family counseling. This will focus on the resolution of personal relationship and role conflicts.

(c) Parent effectiveness services which include the provision and expansion of knowledge and skills of the solo parent on early childhood development, behavior management, health care, rights and duties of parents and children.

(d) Critical incidence stress debriefing which includes preventive stress management strategy designed to assist solo parents in coping with crisis situations and cases of abuse.

(e) Special projects for individuals in need of protection which include temporary shelter, counseling, legal assistance, medical care, self-concept or ego-building, crisis management and spiritual enrichment.”

What happens when the husband refuses to give support?

Section 8 of Republic Act 9262 states, “Directing the respondent to provide support to the woman and/or her child if entitled to legal support. Notwithstanding other laws to the contrary, the court shall order an appropriate percentage of the income or salary of the respondent to be withheld regularly by the respondent's employer for the same to be automatically remitted directly to the woman. Failure to remit and/or withhold or any delay in the remittance of support to the woman and/or her child without justifiable cause shall render the respondent or his employer liable for indirect contempt of court;”

With the pervasiveness of bullying at schools, more and more parents are concerned about their children’s safety since teachers are not always present to keep an eye on students. Children are not safe from harm against bullies especially when they are outside of the school’s premise. The growing number of bullying cases is already a cause for alarm. The Republic Act No. 10627 or also known as the Anti Bullying Act of 2013 addresses this concern among parents, teachers and even students who are considered victims of bullying. The anti-bullying act ensures that these cases will no longer fall on deaf ears. 

What is bullying?

Bullying refers to any repeated or severe use by one or more students of a verbal, electronic or written expression, or a physical gesture or act that can bring physical or emotional harm to the victim. Bullying is also perceived as creating an unfriendly environment for the other student that can cause disruption in the education process. 

The following is considered acts of bullying: 

a. Any unwanted physical contact between the victim and the bully such as pushing, shoving punching, tickling, headlocks, slapping, teasing, fighting, inflicting school pranks and the use of available objects or weapons;

b. Any act that can create damage to a victim’s emotional well-being;

c. Any accusation that can make the victim emotionally distressed such as profanity, foul language, negative comments or derogatory remarks on the victim’s appearance, body and clothes; and 

d. Cyber-bullying or any type of bullying that is initiated with the use of technology or any electronic means. 

Procedures and strategies for bullying:

• Report acts of bullying;

• Respond in a timely manner and investigate reports of bullying;

• Ensure victim’s safety and assess if they need additional protection;

• Provide counseling and other necessary services for the victims, perpetrators and family members.

• Allow students to anonymously report bullying provided, that no disciplinary administrative action will be taken against the reported student based       solely on the anonymous report;

• Provide sanction to a student who makes false accusation of bullying;

• Educate students on the anti-bullying policies and dynamics of bullying;

• Educate parents and guardians about the anti-bullying polices, dynamics of bullying and how parents and guardians can provide support and reinforce policies at home; and

• Keep a public record of statistics and relevant information on acts of bullying. However, the names of the students who were reported to have committed the acts of bullying must be treated with confidentiality and will only be made available to the teachers and school administration that are directly responsible for the said students and parents or guardians of the victims of bullying.