What You Need to Know About the Solo Parent ID and Its Benefits
For solo or single parents in the Philippines, a solo parent ID is a huge help and can actually give you many benefits.
Being a single or solo parent can be very challenging. Not only do you have to provide for your family, but you also have to balance the role of father and mother to your child or children. In the past years, lawmakers have been trying to ease the burden of single parents to give them benefits and protection. One of these laws that have been passed is RA 8972 or known as the Solo Parent’s Welfare Act. The Solo Parent’s Welfare Act includes the Solo Parent ID, which the parent can use for benefits. According to the law, for a solo parent to avail of the benefits, one should apply for a solo parent ID.
What is a Solo Parent ID?
The Solo Parent ID is a government-issued ID by local government units. The ID allows the person to use it for certain discounts. The needed requirements and criteria can be read on the PSA website.
Some of these benefits are:
Cash subsidy of P1,000
According to the announcement of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), solo parents earning minimum wage are provided a subsidy of P1,000 from their respective local government units (LGUS) for as long as they are not getting assistance from other programs of the government.
10% discount on certain products
Solo parents whose wage is less than P250,000 a year will get a 10% discount and exemption from value-added tax products like child’s milk, supplements, vaccines, and medical supplements for children until they reach 6 years old.
Priorities in government-issued benefits
Having a solo parent ID is also an advantage for low-cost housing projects such as the National Housing Authority, scholarships from the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Aside from scholarships and housing, a solo parent ID puts single parents as possible beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, provided that they are within or below the poverty line.
Medical assistance
The solo parent ID allows the parent to enjoy a comprehensive health program from the Department of Health in municipal hospitals, health centers, and health rural units. The ID can help single parents and their children get psychosocial services, too.
Parental leaves
With the ID, solo parents can avail of additional 7 days of leave. They can use these leaves to attend to important moments for their children. Just a quick note though that these leaves are not convertible to cash, and are only provided to those who have been working with their employer for at least a year.
Solo parents should make use of the ID
Admit it or not, it can be an inconvenience to apply for government IDs. But the solo parent ID is an advantage for single and solo parents because it can give them discounts and benefits that can help ease their finances.
Beyond the finances, let us all remember to be kind to solo parents. It’s never easy being a single father or mother. After all, they need support in many aspects of their lives.
Read stories on single parents:
Risa Hontiveros: The Single Parents’ Voice and Champion
