Solo parenting, though a common status for many, continues to be fraught with misconceptions within society.
Redd de Guzman, Secretary General of the National Council for Solo Parents Inc., said in an interview on DAILY TRIBUNE's online program Hot Patatas on 6 November, that being a widow or left by a spouse automatically classifies one as a solo parent.
"We think that as soon as your spouse dies or leaves you, you are already classified as a solo parent," he said.
De Guzman later expounded the definition of being a solo parent based on the law signed as early as 2000 by former president Joseph Estrada.
"As early as 2000, the Republic Act 8972 identifies who is classified as a solo parent. It was signed by former president Joseph Estrada, and last year in 2022, the Republic Act 11861, or the Expanded Solo Parent's Welfare Act of 2022 lapsed. So according to these two laws, a single parent must have a child 22 years old or below. But if your child is 18-22 years old, he or she must be studying. Second, your child must be single and unemployed," de Guzman said.
De Guzman stated that there are certain classifications to being a solo parent.
"Single parents only have certain classifications. First, if you are a rape victim and choose to give birth, care for, and raise the child, then you are a solo parent. Second, the usual thing we know is when you become a widow. Third, if you have a spouse who has been imprisoned for at least one year. But now, with the new law, if your spouse has been imprisoned for at least three months, you are already classified as a solo parent. There is no need for a final judgment for you to be classified as a solo parent," de Guzman added.
Other classifications of being a solo parent include having a spouse with a disability that prevents him or her from performing parental duties, annulled, abandoned, unmarried, guardians standing as parents up to fourth civil degree relative, and being a foster parent.
Part of the classified solo parents under the law are the spouses of low or semi-skilled overseas Filipino workers, and pregnant women who support themselves.
De Guzman stressed that being a solo parent is genderless and the law also welcomes members of the LGBTQ plus.
"It is a genderless solo parent. It can be male or female including the members of the LGBTQ plus," he said.
The benefits that solo parents would receive from the government include psychosocial services, educational and medical assistance, and livelihood development services.
"Under RA 8972, another benefit of the working solo parent is that there is protection against discrimination, flexible work schedule, and seven days of paid parental leave on top of our sick leave, vacation leave, productivity leave, and other benefits. Our maids are with us. If you are a housekeeper who is a single parent, you are entitled to seven days of parental leave," he said.
With the new law that prioritizes the welfare of solo parents, the local government units are mandated to provide a P1000 monthly pension or subsidy including a calamity fund to all solo parents. This also includes the children of solo parents who will avail of full scholarships from the government from pre-school to college.
As of 2022, the solo parent sector has grown to approximately 17 to 20 million due to the categories that qualify solo parents in the country.