The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) together with partner agencies, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), is holding an Information and Serbisyo Caravan at the Quezon City Hall Quadrangle as the Department’s way of showing support to Solo Parents Day celebration on April 22.

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo will also attend the event to meet the solo parents from the community and listen to their issues and concerns.

“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),” Sec. Taguiwalo stated.

“Isang paraan ng pagtulong sa mga solo parents ay ang pagtatayo ng day care centers at activity centers sa mga barangay kung saan pwedeng iwanan ang mga anak habang nagtatrabaho ang mga magulang. Sa pamamagitan nito ay panatag ang loob ng mga solo parents na nasa ligtas na lugar ang kanilang anak upang makapagtrabaho sila nang maayos (One form of assistance to solo parents is the establishment of day care centers and/or activity centers where parents can leave their children while they are working.  This way, solo parents are confident that their children are in safe places so they can focus on their work),” Sec. Taguiwalo added.

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 constituents. 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, the kick-off activity will be held on Saturday with an array of free services, such as medical/dental, legal, haircut, massage, among others, lined-up for solo parent participants coming from the different barangays of Quezon City and nearby cities.  The whole-day event is 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 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000.

This year’s theme is “Empowered Solo, Empower Solo Parents”. ###