Fuelled with the felt needs of being equipped and updated with the existing different major legislations, the Department of Social Welfare and Development conducted Advocacy Forum on June 21, 2013 held at Cagayan de Oro City.

The forum was attended by 50 participants consists of Local Social Workers, and Solo Parents advocates as well as people’s organization representatives.

The invited speaker is presently the Deputy Provincial Prosecutor of Misamis Oriental specialized in Family Court cases, Atty. Malou Romualdo- Sumalpong. She clearly emphasized that Republic Act No. 8972-An Act Providing for the Benefits & Privileges to Solo Parents & their Children, Appropriating Funds therefore & for other purposes.

This Act declares that it is the policy of the State to promote the family as the foundation of the nation, strengthen its solidarity & ensure its total development. The law was enacted to response to the growing number of solo parents who find it difficult to cope with the effects of solo parenting.

Furthermore, the speaker thoroughly shared the details of the new law on Republic Act No. 10361 also known as “The Batas Kasambahay.” The law elaborates the new approved rights & privileges of the domestic workers and employment terms and conditions as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement.

Written by Hacelyn B. Barrero, Focal Person