As the lead agency in social protection, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), together with partner-agencies is holding an Information and Serbisyo Caravan at the Quezon Memorial Circle on April 28 as the Department’s way of showing support to the city’s Solo Parents’ Day celebration.
The DSWD conducts Information and Serbisyo caravans to bring the programs and services of the government closer to the people, particularly the vulnerable sectors. The caravan is open to the public who wish to be informed of the different programs and services of the Department, as well as avail of the free services.
“Kailangang tulungan ng pamahalaan at komunidad ang mga solong magulang dahil mag-isa silang nagtataguyod ng kanilang mga anak (The government needs to help solo parents because they solely take care of their children),” DSWD Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel Leyco said.
“The national and local government units should implement programs and services which are responsive to the needs of solo parents, whose number is increasing at an alarming rate. Solo parents and their children should be provided with basic programs such as livelihood and employment, health and education,” OIC Leyco added.
OIC Leyco also emphasized that there is also an urgent need to amend Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000 to make it more responsive to the emerging needs of solo parents and their children.
The amendments to RA 8972 are included in the priority legislative measures which the Department is advocating.
The local government of Quezon City passed City Ordinance No. SP-2354-S-2014 mandating the celebration of Solo Parents’ Week every last week of April to give due recognition to the city’s solo parent residents. So far, Quezon City is the only local government unit which has come up with an ordinance institutionalizing a special week/day for solo parents.
This year’s Solo Parents’ Day celebration features an array of free services, such as legal, wellness like haircut, massage, among others, for solo parent participants coming from the different barangays of Quezon City and nearby cities. The event was organized by the QC LGU together with 4ks Task Force on Solo Association, Inc., the Federation of Solo Parents in Luzvimin, and partner government agencies and non-government organizations.
Solo parents are encouraged to attend the event to avail of the free services and join in the advocacy pushing for the amendments to RA 8972.
This year’s theme is “Sulong sa Bagong Mukha ng Solo”, which emphasizes the image of solo parents as strong, empowered, responsible and resilient. # Source – www.dswd.gov.ph
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