ABOUT 2,850 solo parents in Abra received P2,000 cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) turned over the assistance in coordination with the local government unit of Abra.
The giving of cash aid coincided with the celebration of the Women’s Day and Abrenian Kawayan Festival or the Abra Foundation Day.
The assistance is in line with the enactment of Republic Act 11861 or the amended Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000, which mandates the provision of adequate social protection programs for solo parents from the government.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the distribution of the assistance to the solo parents from the 27 municipalities of Abra.
The DSWD records also show that 588 solo parent-headed families in Abra are Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries.
Earlier, the DSWD Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) gave livelihood assistance to 36 qualified solo parents under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
The SLP program is open to all those who are in need and are qualified, based on the assessment of a DSWD social worker.
Gatchalian said that as a former mayor, he had seen the work and the hardships encountered by the solo parents, and their need for assistance.
“They toil to earn a living and at the same time, care for their children, with many having no other support,” he said.
