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Parenting is definitely not an easy job, but single parenting is definitely not for the faint of heart.
It is good to note that our government has set aside some special benefits for Solo Parents, especially those that work in the formal sector. These are all enacted through the Solo Parent’s Welfare Act of 2000. You can avail of the benefits provided for in this law if you have a Solo Parent ID.
So how do you get one?
Here are the Requirements for a Philippine Solo or Single Parent ID:
Submit to your local DSWD office (usually located next to your city hall – where senior citizens also get their Senior Citizen’s ID):
1. Barangay Certificate that indicates that you have been a resident of the area for at least six months. If this is your first time to get a barangay certificate, requirements usually vary for every barangay but they usually ask for a valid government ID stating that you live in the same address. They may also ask for a certain fee to process the barangay certificate. SOme even ask for a photo so just check out your barangay office for this. If you have just moved, then you may submit a copy of proof of your home ownership or your Lease Contract if you are renting.
2. Affidavit of Circumstance which states the reason why you have been a solo parent (not all local DSWD offices require this though so better check first in your local area, you may check this link out for the contact numbers of local DSWD Field Offices.
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You may also want to read:
- EDSA is robbing me of Family Time
- Things to do while stuck in EDSA Traffic
- Nine things I want my kids to learn from Manny Pacquiao
- A Busy Mom’s Guide to Daily Meal Preparation
- Weekly Meal Plans
- Philippine Passport Requirements for Babies
- Where to buy Cloth Diapers in Manila
- Filipino Fish Recipes even your Meat-Loving kids will Love
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3. Legal Documents — Birth certificate/s of your child/children. If you are a widow, then you may also submit a copy of the death certificate of your spouse. Plus other documents that could prove your parental status.
4. Financial documents that will prove your financial status – you could submit a copy of your latest income tax return, your pay slip or the like. If you do not have any, maybe you could call up your local DSWD to ask what you could submit instead.
After submitting these documents, they will be evaluating the requirements you submitted, after which they will send through mail your Solo Parent ID 30 days from the date you submitted all the requirements. You then submit that ID to your employer so that you could avail of the benefits for solo parent employees.
So what do you stand to benefit?
- Flexible Work Schedule – I remember one of my ex-officemates has requested for an earlier time-in so that she could go home earlier, not be caught in the heavy traffic jam that will rob her further of her time with her children.
- Guarantee Against Work Discrimination – You cannot be discriminated against in the work place just because of your parental status.
- ADDITIONAL LEAVE CREDITS – If you have been employed for more than a year, you can already ask your employer to provide you with seven (7) additional leave credits on top of what the government requires and what the company gives. THIS I think is very helpful especially since you will not have an alternate parent who can come with the kid for medical check-ups, school activities, and sick days. Sine if my Ex-Solo parent friends have availed of this, and yes, it helps a lot, even for just the extra day of rest.
There are other benefits which will depend on your financial status. These include being able to avail government housing programs with a better payment scheme, scholarship for you and your child, and medical and hospitalization benefits as determined by the Department of Health.
But of course, for working moms, the best ever reason to get one, as my pretty and hardworking good friend P says, is the additional leave credits.
Till next post mommies!
Leaving you with this inspiring video on solo parenting:
http://happypinaymommy.com/2015/08/25/five-yummy-pasta-recipes-for-kids/
