More solo parent perks pushed

CEBU City — The City Council here is pushing a proposed ordinance giving discounts and incentives to more than 2,000 solo parents in the city on top of existing benefits and privileges being enjoyed today under Republic Act (RA) 8972 or the “ Solo Parent’s Welfare Act of 2000.”

City Councilor Alvin Dizon, who sponsored the proposed ordinance, said that solo parents should enjoy a 10 percent discount on purchase of goods and services such as grocery items, school supplies, medical and dental services, in wellness and entertainment such as movies, parks, salon and spa, fitness centers, as well as in vocational and formal education services.

He clarified that the discounts on grocery items, school supplies, wellness and entertainment and spa and fitness centers may be availed every first and third Saturdays of the month, while discounts will apply at the time the services are availed of for medical, dental, vocational and formal educational services.

Dizon added that a priority lane in malls, supermarkets, hospitals and clinics, educational institutions and other commercial establishments shall be made available to the needs of the solo parents and their children.

Meanwhile, the Mandaue City Council has deferred the implementation of its solo parent ordinance sponsored by City Councilor Joel Seno as the Executive Department still have to look for funding given budgetary requirements in providing financial aid to solo parents.

RA 8972 provides a comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their families which include livelihood, self-employment and skills development, employment-related benefits, educational, health and housing services.