Cebu City Council continues debate on solo parents cash aid

CEBU, Philippines - Single parents in Cebu City will more likely receive P5,000 each annually from the city government from the “measly” P2,500.

But they still have to wait a bit more after the City Council postponed, yet again, for one more week the passage of the proposed ordinance of Councilor Gerardo Carillo.

Carillo is pushing for the ordinance which seeks to recognize the noble intention of the Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000 in uplifting the condition of single parents and their children. Minor parents cannot avail, though.

In its regular session yesterday, the councilors continued to debate the amount to be given to qualified solo parents, the sufficiency of the budget, and the means to prevent the program from being taken advantage of.

“I don’t want to replicate what happened to senior citizens (cash assistance) na daghang nang-register kay attracted sa program. I’m scared we’ll have the same scenario,” expressed Councilor Mary Ann Delos Santos.

The number of senior citizens in the city has reached to over 60,000 who used to receive P10,000 in cash and in kind from the City every year.

Records of the Department of Social Welfare and Services showed at least 400 qualified solo parents in the city, but the councilors fear the figure will balloon once the program is implemented.

“We need to have a stop gap, because we’re actually encouraging them,” Councilor Nestor Archival seconded.

Carillo yesterday moved to increase the cash aid from P2,500 to P5,000 to solo parents who are registered voters of Cebu City for three consecutive national elections and those who are below the poverty threshold. He said these would be the stop gaps.

This was backed up by Delos Santos who thought that P2,500 is not enough to take care of the children.

Councilor Noel Wenceslao continued to express reservations though that the P10 million initially appropriated for the program will not suffice compared to the number of beneficiaries.

Councilor Margarita Osmeña said they may add the amount through the supplemental budget if this will be insufficient.

Wenceslao moved that Gender and Development  focals in all barangays in the city should conduct a survey to determine the number of solo parents who may qualify the program so they can also set a fix budget.

Vice Mayor Edgardo  Labella, who presides the session, said he will also secure accurate data of single parents from the Office of the Civil Registrar. — (FREEMAN)