New bill seeks to provide single breadwinners with solo parent perks

With the way Filipino family dynamics work, unmarried people living with their family often end up supporting them, if not being the outright breadwinner. If a new bill in Congress becomes law, these single breadwinners might soon enjoy some perks that solo parents currently have.

In House Bill No. 1364 filed by PBA Representative Margarita Nograles, unmarried people or legally separated people who are supporting dependents who are not their children can be given some of the benefits mentioned in the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.

The particular benefits that single or legally separated people may receive are educational benefits that provide scholarships to single parents and two of their dependents, a monthly cash pension of P1,500 if the single parent is a minimum wage earner, and a flexible work from home schedule as long as it does not affect productivity.

The bill's explanatory note even references the dynamics of a Filipino family, pointing out that fresh college graduates and even those who had to drop out of school to provide for their family often end up the family's breadwinners. It also pointed out that unmarried children often end up supporting their parents in their old age.

The Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act lapsed into law last month after the former president did not sign it.

MEANWHILE, CHECK OUT A NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL CELEBRITY SOLO PARENTS IN THE GALLERY BELOW.