DSWD Usec. for Promotive Programs Malu Turalde administers the Oath-Taking of the elected presidents of the solo parents’ organizations in Quezon City.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Malou Turalde-Jarabe encouraged solo parents from urban poor communities to avail of the programs and services being implemented by the Department, such as Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, among others during the Solo Parents Day celebration at  the Quezon City Hall over the weekend.

“Ang DSWD bilang isang ahensya na may mandato na bigyan ng proteksyon ang mga bulnerableng sektor ng ating lipunan ay may mga nakalaang programa para sa mga solo parents katulad ng SLP  (DSWD, as an agency mandated to provide protection to vulnerable sectors, has available programs for solo parents like SLP),” Usec Turalde said.

DSWD social workers answer queries from solo parents during the conduct of Information/Serbisyo Caravan with partner agencies, Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry and Technical Education Skills Development Authority.

“Maaring bumuo ang mga solo parents sa komunidad ng mga grupo o samahan para ma-access sila sa SLP na isang programang pangkabuhayan ng Departamento  na  bukas para sa mga Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries at maging sa mga hindi Pantawid members  (Solo parents in the community may form groups or organizations to avail of SLP. DSWD’s livelihood program is open to Pantawid and non-Pantawid members),“ she explained.

Usec. Turalde also emphasized,  “Ang isa sa mga bulnerableng sektor na aming bibigyan ng prayoridad sa Duterte administration ay ang mga solong magulang (One of the vulnerable sectors that we are prioritizing under the Duterte administration is the solo parents’ sector).”

The DSWD official, likewise, underscored the need for a database of solo parents so “we would know what programs and services are needed.”

Volunteer doctors from the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) and Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) provide free consultation.

Malaki ang papel na ginagampanan ng mga local government units (LGUs) sa pagsisigurado na ang lahat ng mga solo parents ay ma-organisa upang maka-avail sila ng mga serbisyo at programa ng nasyunal at lokal na pamahalaan. Mahalagang magkaroon ng database ang bawa’t LGU upang klarong  makita ang bilang ng mga solo parents sa bawa’t lalawigan, munisipalidad, syudad at barangay sa buong bansa  (The LGUs play a big role in ensuring that all solo parents are organized so they may avail of programs and services of the national and local governments. It is important for LGUs to have a database to determine the number of solo parents in each province, city, municipality, and barangays in the whole country).”

Solo parents avail of free massage services from therapists sent by TESDA.

Meanwhile, Gabriela Women’s PartyList Representative  Emmi De Jesus and Quezon City Vice-Mayor Joy Belmonte also gave solidarity messages.

The whole day event was organized by 4Ks Task Force on Solo Association, Inc.; QC LGU; and, the Federation of Solo Parents in Luzvimin.

Solo Parents Day is held annually in Quezon City by virtue of a local ordinance.

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