Solo parents in Bulacan receive joy, love on Valentine’s Day

CITY OF MALOLOS – Thousands of solo parents got themselves a date with the Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office during the annual Solo Parent General Assembly held yesterday at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in this city.

Anchored on the theme, “Sa Iyong Pag-iisa, May Kaagapay Ka”, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that it is an honor for him to be celebrating Valentine’s Day with the solo parents so as to let them feel that they are not alone and the Provincial Government will be with them as they go through life’s challenges.

“Wala na po marahil mas mabuti pang paraan na ipagdiwang ang okasyong ito kundi sa pagbabahagi ng pag-ibig sa ating mga ulirang solo parent na kapiling natin ngayon at sa pamamagitan ng makabuluhang programa na masikhay na magsusulong sa kanilang kapakanan at kakandili sa kanilang patuloy na pagyabong,” Alvarado said.

He added that the PGB recognizes the difficult and important role of solo parents in the society.

“Sa kabila ng matinding mga pagsubok at mabibigat na pasanin, batid natin ang mahalagang bahaging ginagampanan ng mga solo parent sa pagtataguyod ng kagalingan at pangkalahatang kabutihan ng ating lalawigan at ating pagsusumikapang ipatupad ng buong puso ang probisyon ng Republic Act No. 8972 o ang Solo Parent Welfare Act of 2000 upang masuklian ang inyong mga pagpapakasakit at pagpupunyagi,” the governor said.

Also, Board Member Perlita Delos Santos was happy to announce that the “Panlalawigang Kautusan Blg. 23-2016 na nagtatadhana sa pagbibigay ng diskuwento at iba pang benepisyo sa mga solo parent, alinsunod sa Republic Act 8972 sa Lalawigan ng Bulacan” which she co-authored together with Board Members Therese Cheryll Ople, Atty. Emelita Viceo and Allan Ray Baluyut was passed through the “Panlalawigang Kautusan Blg. 36-2017 o “Ang mga Tuntunin at Alituntuning Tagapagpatupad ng Panlalawigang Kautusan Blg. 23-2016.”

Also gracing the event was Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Michelle Ortega who represented DSWD Officer-in-Charge Secretary Emmanuel Leyco as the guest of honor.

According to Sec. Ortega, the said occasion truly serves as an inspiration knowing that is not easy to be both a mother and a father to their children. She lauded their ability to raise their children and provide for their necessities.

Also, a re-orientation on Solo Parent Welfare Act of 2000, Republic Act 8972 and its proposed amendment and House Bill No. 3398 was conducted by Armont Pecina, OIC of Operations and Program Division of DSWD Region 3.

The solo parents also showcased their talent in dancing during the Zumba Showdown.

Meanwhile, 36 nebulizers, 20 BP apparatus, 16 wheelchairs, 6 salter scales, 2 Glucometers, 2 height and weighing scales, medical kit, fetal Doppler, bathroom scale, infant weighing scale, cane, walker and oxygen tank were distributed to the beneficiaries of the Kapitolyo sa Barangay program.