The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to hold a two-day trade bazaar for entrepreneur solo parents on April 18 and 19 to pay tribute to all of their sacrifices and determination in providing the best for their children and other dependents.

In a news release Wednesday, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the trade bazaar will be held at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City along with a general assembly for solo parent employees on Thursday to celebrate the Solo Parents Week.

Dumlao, assistant secretary for Disaster Response Management Group, said the department is one with the nation in recognizing the dedication, hard work, and sacrifices of solo parents.

“Solo parents, despite being part of the vulnerable sector, are considered icons of love, bravery, and strength in our society. They have shown courage in fulfilling the very challenging responsibility of raising their children alone. Hence, it is crucial that we continue to support them with necessary interventions to help them cope with the difficulties of parenthood,” Dumlao said.

The Solo Parents Week is celebrated every April 15 to 21 of the year.

This year’s celebration banners the theme “Solo Parent na Rehistrado, sa Gobyerno Tiyak na Protektado!”, which aims to encourage solo parents to register in their respective local government units (LGUs) for them to avail of the benefits and incentives for solo parents.

Republic Act 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act declares the 3rd week as well as the 3rd Saturday of April as “Solo Parents Week” and “National Solo Parents Day”, respectively, to highlight the role and significance of every solo parent in the Philippines.

Under the law, the benefits provided to solo parents include monthly subsidy and PhilHealth coverage for minimum wage earners; discounts on baby’s milk, diapers, medicines, vaccines for their children under 6 years old and 7 days of paid parental leave regardless of work status.

“The DSWD is also pilot-testing the Strengthening Opportunities for Lone Parents or Program SOLo. This introduces innovations on psychosocial interventions to ensure emotional support, alternative care arrangements for solo parents and their children/dependents,” Dumalo said.

DSWD is the lead agency of the solo parents’ Inter-Agency Coordinating and Monitoring Committee (IACMC).

The DSWD, Dumlao said, is committed to overseeing the effective implementation of the law in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to secure the welfare of solo parents and to ensure that they and other vulnerable sectors are not left behind in development. (PNA)