Dahino cmte tackles provisions of proposed ordinance institutionalizing benefits of solo parents

THE City Council committee on women and family relations chaired by Councilor Edna M. Dahino last week deliberated on the proposed ordinance Institutionalizing the Programs, Services, Privileges and Benefits for Solo Parents and their Children.

One of the provisions tackled was the tertiary scholarship assistance that solo parents and their children shall be entitled to avail subject to compliance with the requirements set under Ordinance No. 13362-2018, otherwise known as the City Scholarship Code.

The draft ordinance provides that at least ten percent of every batch of incoming scholars will come from the children of indigent solo parents.

Indigent solo parent refers to one whose net income falls below the poverty threshold set by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and is not receiving a monthly pension or allowance from a concerned public or private entity beyond such poverty threshold, as assessed and verified by CSWD and DSWD.

A representative of the CSWD proposed the inclusion of solo parents whose incomes are above the poverty line but have three or more children in their care.

Also discussed during the meeting was the provision that at least five percent of the beneficiaries in any housing site under the City’s Socialized Housing Program should also come from the ranks of solo parents subject to the program’s requisites.

These and other salient features will be finalized by the CSWD.