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Mothers Day.
As I sit here contemplating, I realized that this day, Mothers Day is no different
from other days, especially for us "Nay-Tays" or Nanay na, Tatay pa (mom and
dad).
I wake up and rush about doing my household chores which I can no longer
attend to during weekdays owing to my hectic work schedule.
(READ: Domestication of women)
This is supposed to be our day, I thought to myself and I deserve some time off,
but as I scroll through my text, email, and Facebook messages, I am bombarded
by pleas for help from other solo parents who are in dire circumstances.
Most of them, I noticed are working as kasambahays (househelp) in Metro
Manila, enduring the loneliness and anxiety of being separated from their
children, whom they are forced to leave to their parents and relatives in their
provinces.
What can I do to help them?
As a staunch advocate of promoting the rights and welfare of solo parents and as
president of our solo parents organization in the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD)-Central office, I have often been interviewed by media
and invited as resource person to discuss how to cope with solo parenthood.
Through these broadcast and print interviews and speaking engagements, I met
other solo parents, and though our situations vary, we share a common concern
the constant struggle to raise our children alone, to be solely responsible for
their well-being, and to ensure that they will grow up to be morally upright and
productive citizens.
The task of solo parenting is daunting with myriad challenges cropping up at
every turn of our lives.
As we journey through life with our children, working hard to sustain their needs,
we face these challenges head on trusting in Divine Providence to pull us through
whatever trials we encounter along the way.
SOLO FLIGHT. Solo parents support group posing in front of the DSWD Central Office. They
welcome both solo fathers and mothers. Photo from Carina Javier
In February 2004, the DSWD Central Office Solo Parents Support Group was
organized in response to the needs of solo parent-employees in the Department
as part of the implementation of RA 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of
2000.
We design activities that foster unity and camaraderie among our members.
These include spiritual enhancement, staff development and sharing sessions,
and fellowship among others.
Serving as president from 2009 to date, I bear the formidable task of being our
organizations official spokesperson, mediator and event organizer.
To further our advocacy, I have formed linkages with other solo parents
associations, notably the Solong Nanay at Tatay (SONATA) Confederation, which
serves as an umbrella organization of all solo parents associations or SPAs, Nain
Foundation, an non-governmental organization (NGO) implementing programs
for widows and single mothers and the office of the Solicitor General (OSG) Solo
Parents Organization.
Through these linkages, I found an avenue to ventilate our issues and concerns
calling on the national and local governments to intensify the implementation of
RA 8972, as well as lobby for the proposed amendments to this law.
14 years later, our support group currently has 50 plus solo parent employees.
We have evolved into an organization with strengthened links to other SPAs with
a unified goal of advocating the rights and welfare of solo parents and our
children nationwide.
Comprising the core group are solo parent-employees with minor children 17
years old and below, and those in the support group of solo parents with adult
children.
As a support group, we look out for each other, acting like a big sister or brother
to one another.
Social media has played a big role in helping us keep in touch, and abreast of
latest developments involving solo parents.
We also use to connect with other organizations.
Moreover, the organization of solo parents support groups in government
agencies, private corporations, and barangay level is an effective strategy to
counter or minimize the stress and pressures being experienced by solo parents
everywhere.
Proposed Amendments
During the First National Convention of Solo Parents held in Naga City,
Camarines Sur last April 25-26, more than 500 leaders of various SPAs gathered
to expressed our solid support to the proposed amendments.
We urge for the:
Inclusion of penalties for non-compliance
to the amended law
Inclusion of budget appropriation for its
implementation; a share of 1% from the
internal revenue allotment (IRA)
Creation of an office of solo parents in
every province, city/municipalityprovision
Full scholarship to at least one child
Equal access to employment and
educational opportunities
Reduction of taxes for solo parents