Solo parent (RA 8972)

Q: What are the benefits to solo parents under the Solo Parent Act of 2000?
A: The following benefits are:
1. Parental Leave (sec 8)
2. Flexible Work Schedule (sec 6)
3. Educational Benefits (sec 9)
4. Housing Benefits (sec 10)
5. Medical Assistance (sec 11)

Q: Who is a solo parent as defined under RA 8972 (Solo Parent Act)

A: A solo parent, as defined by RA 8972 is:

1. A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without a final
conviction of the offender, provided that mother keeps and raises the child.

2. Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to the following circumstances:

a. Due to death of spouse.

b. Spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one (1) year.

c. Physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner.

d. Legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least one (1) year, as long as he/she is
entrusted with the custody of the children.

e. Declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as decreed by a court or by a church as long as he/she is

entrusted with the custody of the children.

3. Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep and rear her/his child/children instead of having others
care for them or give them up to a welfare institution.

4. Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children.

5. Any family member who assumes the responsibility of head of family as a result of the death,
abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo parent.

Q: What is parental leave?

A: Parental leave shall mean leave benefits granted to a solo parent to enable him/her to perform parental duties and
responsibilities where physical presence is required. In addition to leave privileges under existing laws, parental
leave of not more than 7 working days every year shall be granted to any solo parent employee.

Q: Is the parental leave cumulative?

A: No. The seven-day parental leave shall be non-cumulative (sec 18, Rules and Regulation Implementing RA
8972)

Q: Can the parental leave be converted to cash?

A: No. In the event that the parental leave is not availed of, said leave shall not be convertible to cash unless
specifically agreed upon previously. (sec. 20, Rules and Regulation Implementing RA 8972)

Q: What are the conditions for entitlement of parental leave?

A: A solo parent shall be entitled to parental leave provided that:

1. He/She has rendered at least 1 year of service whether continous or broken at the time of the effectivity
of this Act;
2. He/She has notified his/her employee of the availment thereof within a reasonable time period; and
3. He/She has presented a Solo Parent Identification Card to his/her employer. (Rules and Regulation
Implementing RA 8972)

Q: What are the requirements for a Solo Parent Identification Card?

A: REQUIREMENTS:

1. The applicants for the solo parent ID must bring the following documents to the City/Municipal Social Welfare
and Development Office:

a) Barangay certification certifying Solo Parent’s residency in the barangay for the last six months
b) Certificates e.g., birth certificates of children, death certificate of spouse and other appropriate documentary
support
c) Income tax return or any document that will establish the income level of the solo parent

2. The social worker receives and ensures that all documents are complete and registers the applications with an
appropriate case number in the log-book Registry of Solo Parents.

Note: The ID will be issued after 30 days from filing. The validity of the ID is one year and is renewable.