Lawmakers push protection of solo parents in PH
House of Representatives. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo and House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Paul Daza have joined forces to advocate for the protection of solo parents and hold “deadbeat” or irresponsible parents accountable who refuse to support their children.
Daza, the representative of Northern Samar, stated that they want to combine their efforts with Tulfo, of the ACT-CIS party-list, to push for the passage of House Bill No. 44, known as the “Child Support Bill,” and House Bill No. 8987, also known as “An Act Punishing the Willful Failure to Pay Paternal Child Support,” through the “Anti-Balasubas Bill.” This aims to obligate both fathers and mothers to provide adequate support for their abandoned children, whether they are legitimate or illegitimate.
The two solons announced this during a policy forum held by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday, attended by 100 individuals from RTC Family Court Social Welfare, Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs), LGU-City Social Welfare and Development Office, KALIPI Organization, Council for the Welfare of Children, DSWD-CO, and DSWD-NCR personnel, as well as a group of single parents. The forum discussed ways to assist parents in providing support to their children.
Tulfo and Daza explained that under the “Anti-Balasubas Bill,” parents will receive assistance in finding employment so they can provide financial support to their children.
“Dapat isipin ng mga magulang na obligasyon nila na maibigay ang pangangailangan ng kanilang mga anak kahit pa wala ito sa kanilang kustodiya,” Daza stated.
Under Daza’s HB No. 44, monthly support from parents who do not raise their children would be mandated, with the support not less than P6,000 per month, and the establishment of the National Child Support Program (NCSP).
Tulfo’s HB No. 8987, on the other hand, along with his fellow ACT-CIS party list representatives Reps. Jocelyn Tulfo and Edvic Yap, as well as two other lawmakers, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo, sets the financial support at 10 percent of an individual’s income, but not less than P6,000. A parent who fails to provide financial support may face imprisonment of up to 12 years and a fine ranging from P100,000 to P300,000.
“We are working on this and continually holding consultations to refine this law, and we want to ensure the protection of solo parents and their children,” said Tulfo.
The two congressmen believe that the proposed “Anti-Balasubas Bill” will provide protection for children abandoned by their parents.
They further emphasized their commitment to consulting with various sectors to ensure that their proposed law is well-crafted and that the proper protection for solo parents is ensured.
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