A Commission on Human Rights report has found that solo parents continue to face challenges despite their expanded benefits under the law, mainly because of their lack of information and understanding of their rights.
“Limited information and understanding of their rights as solo parents are barriers to their empowerment,” the CHR said in the report released July 15.
“Many solo parents… do not assert their rights because they are not versed in them, or [are] unsure whether the services due to them are really mandatory,” said the report that was based on interviews with 26 key government informants and 57 solo parents, conducted nationwide from April to May 2023.
The survey aimed to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of Republic Act No. 11861, or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.
While RA 11861 did not specify an allocation for information dissemination and other aspects of implementation, it requires local government units to allocate funds for implementation.
The main complaint of unreached beneficiaries is registration red tape for the issuance of a Solo Parent ID, with some saying the required documents could cost up to P700, in addition to transportation costs.
Aside from registration red tape, solo parents, particularly women, shared experiences of being judged by their communities, discriminated against at work, and excluded from economic opportunities. The report also noted psychological and economic abuse from former partners.
These challenges are compounded by economic hardship, with many solo parents living below the national poverty threshold. The report also raised concerns on the effects on children, including issues in academic performance, behavior, and exposure to stigma.
According to 2021 data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, over 538,686 households in the country have at least one solo parent, with nearly two thirds, or 346,494 headed by solo parents themselves.
The Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act can be effective only if its target demographic participates and partake of the benefits given by the law. If the challenge is in reaching them to make them aware of those benefits, or the red tape that discourages those who are aware of the benefits, it is up to their local government officials to ensure the delivery of those rights. Education and information programs, as well as improving access, especially for those who live in poverty who are the ones who need the assistance the most, shouldn’t be that hard to prioritize.*
