Solo parents to receive more perks from govt

SOLO parents in the country can now enjoy free health services starting this year through the Philippine Health Corporation (PhilHealth), National Council for Solo Parents, Inc. Secretary General Redd De Guzman said yesterday.

De Guzman, during an interview with the Bagong Pilipinas program, said they are just waiting for the guidelines from PhilHealth to start implementing the free health insurance coverage.

He said one issue is the age of PhilHealth member’s beneficiary. He said at present, children below 21 are allowed to be beneficiaries of the members but under the Expanded Solo Parent Act, the age covered was raised to 22 and below.

De Guzman said the free PhilHealth coverage will apply to all solo parents, regardless if they or the companies they are employed with are already paying their monthly contributions.

He said the government would shoulder the contributions.

“For working and non-working solo parents, the membership to PhilHealth is automatic because if you get sick, it will be a problem and the PhilHealth program of government will be a big help,” he said.

De Guzman said the free PhilHealth coverage is only one of the benefits under the Expanded Solo Parent Act which is set to be fully implemented this year.

He said among the benefits that solo parents can enjoy include the P1,000 monthly subsidy for those who are earning below P250,000 a year or minimum wage earners and not included in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or similar subsidy programs, and a 20 percent discount on certain items in addition to the value-added tax discount.

The discounts require the solo parents to present their solo parent identification cards and booklet similar to the one being used by senior citizens, including traveling by air and land.

He said the government is also currently talking with different transportation groups about a possible discounted fare for solo parents.

De Guzman said a solo parent refers to widows/widowers, victims of rape who got pregnant, spouses of those in jail for three months or more, spouses of persons with disability who are unable to provide for the family, those whose marriages were annulled and have custody of children aged 22