Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are not barred by Philippine law from being recognized as solo parents, according to a senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Speaking at the DSWD Media Forum on Thursday, Undersecretary and Chairperson of the Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ Atty. Elen De Vibar Pasion highlighted the governing legislation covering solo parent benefits and social protection.
“Yung governing law natin is yung Republic Act 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act. The passing of this law, ang objective nya is to promote the rights of Filipino solo parents and ensure they receive adequate government social protection, including a comprehensive support package for them and their families,” Undersecretary Pasion said.
Under the law, a solo parent is defined as an individual who provides sole parental care and support to a child due to various circumstances, including the abandonment, death, or detention of a spouse; having a spouse or family member who is an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) for a period of time; or being a legal guardian, adoptive parent, or foster parent who solely provides parental care.
“Malinaw naman po, the law is clear so wala naman po tayong room for interpretation na masasabi natin na hindi kasali ang members of the community or the LGBTQIA+ community,” Undersecretary Pasion said.
The LGBTQIA+ chairperson noted that relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity may also qualify as solo parents. She cited the case of Amanda Alvarez, an LGBTQIA+ community member whose account of alleged discrimination and delays in securing a solo parent ID in Valenzuela City gained attention online.
“Si Amanda, as the acting parent ng kanyang mga pamangkin, hindi naman po sya excluded, provided na ma-provide nya rin yung mga requirements,” Undersecretary Pasion explained.
The DSWD official noted that Alvarez was able to obtain her solo parent ID after submitting all necessary documentation to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) of Valenzuela.
“Nagkaroon lang talaga ng misunderstanding, hindi naipaliwanag sa kanya. You know naman when someone told you something, yung interpretation, it could vary also so she waited, ‘yun pala hindi pa pala pino-process, in her mind, ok na, but still she has to submit something pa or in addition dun sa sinubmit nya. It was just a miscommunication,” Undersecretary Pasion also said.
The official urged the public to exercise greater sensitivity toward the experiences of vulnerable and marginalized groups.
“Yung mga side comment po natin, we just have to be more sensitive dun sa mga comment natin lalo na if we really don’t know the law. Hindi naman talaga ine-exclude yung members ng community kasi parang dumagdag pa talaga iyon,” Undersecretary Pasion said.
Data from the DSWD Protective Services Bureau (PSB) shows that 7,259 out of 294,649 registered solo parents nationwide belong to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) recorded the highest count with 1,753, followed by the CALABARZON region with 1,553, and Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) with 1,468.