Dear Atty. Joji,

My sister became a solo parent a couple of years ago after separating from her partner. Since then, she’s been raising her child on her own while working full-time in a private company. Lately, it’s been hard for her to manage everything, especially when her child gets sick or needs her during school activities. One day, she heard from a co-worker about the “solo parent leave,” but she wasn’t sure if she was entitled to it. Are all parents entitled to this leave?

Dorothy

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Dear Dorothy,

Yes, your sister is entitled to solo parent leave under Republic Act 11861, also known as the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act. According to Section 8 of this law, a forfeitable and noncumulative parental leave of not more than seven working days with pay every year shall be granted to any solo parent employee, regardless of employment status, who has rendered service of at least six months.

This means that whether your sister is a regular, probationary, or contractual employee in the government or private sector, she may avail of this leave benefit as long as she has met the service requirement.

In addition to the leave, the law also provides for the option to request a flexible work schedule, provided that such an arrangement does not affect individual and company productivity.

This gives solo parents the ability to better balance work and parenting duties, which is particularly helpful in situations where rigid schedules might hinder their caregiving responsibilities. Employers are encouraged to grant this flexibility, subject to reasonable business requirements and guidelines.

To avail of these benefits, your sister must secure a valid Solo Parent Identification Card (SPIC) from her local government unit (LGU) and comply with her employer’s internal policies and procedures regarding leave and work schedule adjustments.

For a better understanding of her rights and responsibilities, it is highly recommended that your sister read through Republic Act 11861. The law outlines not just leave benefits, but also other forms of support available to solo parents in the Philippines.

Hope this helps.

Atty. Joji Alonso