Since November 2024, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has distributed cash subsidies to a total of 3,076 solo parents in Davao City.
The initiative, implemented under Executive Order No. 25, Series of 2024, aims to augment the income of solo parents in the city and ease their financial burden. Under the “Solo Parent’s Ordinance of Davao City,” beneficiaries will be given a P1,000 monthly subsidy.
Karla Quintela, Focal Person of the CSWDO Solo Parent Social Welfare Operation Division, in an interview with city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio, said the subsidy is specifically aimed at solo parents earning at or below minimum wage who have dependent children aged 0 to 22 years old.
She said that last year, a total of 4,797 solo parents were registered, including both new applicants and those who renewed their registration. As of April 21, an additional 2,547 solo parents have registered.
She also said that CSWDO has an ongoing pay-out, targeting to give subsidies to 4,031 solo parents in the first quarter.
“Possibly sa second quarter, third quarter madungagan pa ni siya kay daghan pa og solo parents nga na aware na sila nga naa diay subsidy [tapos] qualified diay sila (Possibly in the second quarter, third quarter, it will be increased because there are still many solo parents who are aware that there is a subsidy [and] they are qualified),” she said.
In addition to the monthly cash assistance, under the ordinance, solo parents whose annual income is less than P250,000 and who have children aged 0-6 years old, solo parents can also avail of the 10 percent discount on essential items such as medicine, diapers, vitamins, formula milk, among others.
“At least makatabang ang (local) government nga ma [assist] ilang needs (At least the local government can help [assist] their needs),” she said.
Solo parents interested in availing themselves of the subsidy and other benefits are encouraged to secure their Solo Parent ID by visiting the nearest CSWDO district office. Applicants must submit the necessary documents, including the original birth certificate of their children, marriage certificate (or death certificate for those whose spouse has died), barangay certification, and a CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage) for unmarried solo parents.
Additional requirements include proof of income, such as an Income Tax Return (ITR) or an official company pay slip, and a certificate of low income. CIO
