City of San Fernando, Pampanga – As stated in Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parents Act of the Philippines, “it is the responsibility of the State to promote the family as the foundation of the nation, strengthen its solidarity and ensure its total development”. Thus, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region III continues to organize Solo Parents groups and creates venues to advocate for the welfare of solo parents.

On 03 March 2019, DSWD Region III conducted its annual Solo Parents’ General Assembly where representatives from different communities in Central Luzon gathered together to evaluate the progress of their organization in the locale and plan for their ways forward.

The Central Luzon Regional Federation of Solo Parents (CLRFSP) reports their successful conduct of massive orientation of RA 8972 all over the region.

San Miguel, Bulacan, was one of the selected municipalities to present their accomplishments and good practices. Their highlights includes, Solo Parents registration and profiling, skills trainings, local employment and livelihood programs, health promotion and partnership with the Local Government Units which paved way for the institutionalization of additional benefits such as discounts through the passage of the local Executive Order 018.

Rebecca M. Peñaranda, the out-going President of CLRFSP, said they started with nothing but have already gained so much, “We started with few members, with little funds or no funds at all, we started with only few benefits. Pero dahil sa strength and passion na meron tayo, heto pa rin tayo nagpapatuloy na paunlarin ang ating grupo.”

The sector’s representatives felt sincere encouragement when Venus F. Rebuldela, DSWD Region III Assistant Regional Director for Operations, congratulated them for all what they have done for their families, “hindi tayo mga perpektong magulang but we have perfect moments to cherish,” she added.

The activity was concluded by the election of new officers of CLRFSP:

• President: Teresita Pineda, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
• Vice President: Mary Jabe Delgado, Olongapo City
• Secretary: Roselle Mendoza, Pura, Tarlac
• Treasurer: Delia Taruc, Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija
• Auditor: Jerome Gonzales, Casiguran, Aurora
• P.R.O.: Zenaida Caalim, Obando, Bulacan
• Business Manager: Maritess Dalindin, Zambales and Janet Cruz, Orani, Bataan
• Advisers:
  • Rebecca Peñaranda
  • Cristine Ponce
  • Evelyn Cabanes
• Provincial Coordinators:
  • Aurora: Deolito Castro
  • Bataan: Carolina Damaso
  • Bulacan: Rosalie Javier and Feni Evangelista
  • Nueva Ecija: Melvin Del Rosario and Marcos Mendoza
  • Pampanga: Angel Jose and Freddie Santos
  • Tarlac: Elizabeth Perolina
  • Zambales: No identified coordinator yet.

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While milestones have been reached, Rosario Cebricus, DSWD Region 3’s focal person for solo parents, still calls on to all solo parents to show up and register in their respective provinces. Knowing the real number of the members of this sector will pave way in the passage of the amendment of RA 8972.

Story and Photos by: Reiner Grospe