Some solo parents in Bacolod City receive cash subsidy from the Department of Social Services and Development during the payout at SM City Bacolod on the first week of March 2025. An initial 521 beneficiaries from various barangays received a lump sum subsidy of P12,000, covering P1,000 each month for 2024. (Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO)
BACOLOD CITY – The city government here has released P6.252 million in financial assistance to an initial 521 solo parents from various barangays in compliance with Republic Act 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.
Each beneficiary received a lump sum subsidy of P12,000, covering P1,000 each month in 2024, data from the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) on Tuesday showed.
“The goal is to empower solo parents by providing them with the necessary resources to ensure the well-being and development of their children. The cash aid is to be used for the essential expenses related to child-rearing, such as education, healthcare, and daily living costs,” the city government said in a statement.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran earlier said the City Council approved a total allocation of PHP18 million for the cash subsidy of about 1,500 solo parents covering the period for 2024.
In a separate interview, DSSD head Richelle Verdeprado said the cash subsidy is not exclusive to women, adding that the city government wants to ensure that all solo parents, including fathers, receive assistance in raising their children.
Under the Republic Act 11861, recognized as solo parents include a parent raising a child born from rape or other crimes against chastity, widows or widowers whose spouse has passed away, parents whose spouse is detained for at least three months, and parents whose spouse has physical or mental incapacity as certified by a medical professional.
Also included are legally separated or de facto separated parents for at least six months, parents whose marriage was annulled or declared null, parents abandoned by their spouse for at least six months, spouse or relative of an overseas Filipino worker working abroad for at least 12 months, and unmarried mothers or fathers who solely raise their children.
Others recognized as solo parents are legal guardians, adoptive, or foster parents providing sole parental care, relatives up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity who act as the sole guardian of a child, and pregnant women providing sole care for their unborn child. (PNA)