Representative Bernadette Herrera (file photo from her Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines – Bagong Henerasyon (BH) party representative Bernadette Herrera is pushing for the well-being of Filipino single parents through active representation, which she says could help the government meet their needs as heads family, tutors and caregivers.
Herrera said helping single parents have a voice and needs is part of the next steps in her advocacy.
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“For the next chapter of our journey, we want to empower single parents through active representation and lead their call for more accessible and valuable programs and benefits – we want to serve them as Solon ng Soloista,” she explained in a statement on Thursday. .
The lawmaker added that they changed the BH Partylist slogan from “I-angat ang Pamilya” (uplift the family) to “I-angat e Lahat ng Pamilya” (uplift all families), which she said emphasizes “inclusion and recognition of non-traditional family units, such as those headed by single parents.”
“This is the natural evolution of our lifelong mission and advocacy to uplift Filipino families. While the ideal scenario is two parents working together to support, nurture and guide their children, single parents – or what we affectionately call soloists – essentially take on all of the roles and responsibilities,” said Herrera.
Citing a study, Herrera noted that about 95 percent of the approximately 15 million single parents in the Philippines are women, who she said face “discrimination when they try to take advantage of the benefits provided by the Solo Parent Law.”
“Even the simple act of acquiring a Solo Parent ID is confusing and difficult. Some establishments do not even know that there is a law in force. Our goal is to help ease the burden on Filipino single parents, not give them more bureaucratic hassles or put them in situations where they have to explain themselves,” she said.
“Life is already as difficult as it is; imagine how challenging it is to care for, nurture and raise a family. Is this already a huge undertaking for two parents, let alone soloists?” We have a saying: whoever has less in life should have more in law. But why are single parents being left behind by the government whose purpose is to help them?” she added.
The lawmaker said there is a need to expand the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act or Republic Act No. 11861 with the amendment of House Resolution No. 1681 pushed by the BH party to include spouses of OFWs in the Philippines among the parents singles.
By paying attention to this law, she said the government can ensure its implementation through adequate funding.
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Among those who pledged support for single parents through discounts were YSA Skin Care Clinic and Medical Depot. Both will offer a 10% discount to single parents who use their services.
