Baguio solo parents up; benefits cited

SOLO PARENTS. Solo parents in Dagupan City receive family packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development on Friday (Aug. 25, 2023) at the city plaza in Dagupan City. The solo parents are also set to receive starting next year a PHP1,000 monthly cash subsidy from the city government. (Photo courtesy of Sen. Risa Hontiveros Facebook page)

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Social Welfare and Development Office reported increase of solo parents here, which it said was indication of their desire to  be recognized for them to avail of government services.
    Acting Assistant City Social Welfare and Development Officer Cynthia Langagan said for first semester of 2023, there were 548 registered solo parents in the city -- higher by 21 percent compared to 450 solo parents recorded last year.
    There were more female solo parents with 508 compared to the males who are around 40.
    There were reportedly two categories of solo parents, Class A or those who are considered to be living above the poverty line and Class B or those who are living below the poverty line.
    CSWDO data bared there were more solo parents belonging to Class B or those living below the poverty line with 369 while those living above poverty line were 179.
    Langagan said most solo parents belonged to the 40-49 age bracket numbering 228 followed by 30-39 age bracket at 146, 50-59 age bracket – 117, 18-29 age bracket – 44 and 50 years old and above age bracket – 13.

She added most solo parents numbering 230 were single or those who had not been married, followed by widows and widowers at 157, those married but separated although considered legally married at 138; those legally separated, 14 and those with annulled marriages at 6 while divorced overseas were 3.

Langagan said solo parents were closely monitored by social workers to ensure their adherence to guidelines governing implementation of Enhance Solo Parents Act, especially the annual renewal of their solo parents identification card, thus, their status as solo's parents was being monitored to ensure they were the ones raising their families.

She cited incidents where there were solo parents who got their identification cards from the said office but were discovered during the monitoring that they are living with their respective partners in violation of the law.

Langagan said Class B solo parents enjoy greater privileges, especially availability of social services from the government, pursuant to the Solo Parents Welfare law.