CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Vice-Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda assisted 2,116 solo parents from various municipalities and cities through the cash and food assistance, job opportunities, health care services (Point of Care) and scholarship program for their children.
This was gleaned in a Solo Parent Assembly held on Monday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here.
Initially, Vice Governor Delta distributed a total of P2.1 million financial assistance plus two packs of hotdogs were given to the solo parents.
The vice governor also vowed to provide scholarship grants for their children to finish their college education.
He also offered summer opportunities to solo parents whose children are drug surrenderers allowing them to earn money while working for a minimum of 10 working days as part of ‘Tulong Pangkabuhayan para sa mga Disadvantaged (TUPAD) Workers.’
“All solo parents and their children are now entitled to avail the Point of Care (POC) program implemented in the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, 11 provincial and district hospitals meaning, they could avail the “no balance billing” policy of the provincial government. This is part of the health program Governor Nanay Pineda,” the vice governor said.
He said a total of P45 million budget was allotted and approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the Philhealth POC program intended for indigent families including solo parents in the province.
“I know it is hard to raise a child alone. So we, and the members of the Sanggunian are doing our best to provide you (solo parents) both medical and educational assistance.” he added.
It can be recalled that in 2016, the provincial government has given P1, 216,000 cash incentives to solo parents.
At present, a total of 2, 959 single parents are registered in the province in which 98.1% are women ranging from 18-61 years old.
“Sabay Sabay na Hakbang Tungo Sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan” is this year’s theme that focuses in providing assistance to solo parents with regards to services and privileges that will aid in raising their children alone.
Present in the distribution were Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) Chief Angie Blanco, 1st District Board Members Cherry Manalo and Benjamin Joscon, 2nd District Board Member Anthony Joseph Torres, 3RD District Boards Rosve Henson and Atty. Ananias “Jun” Canlas and 4th district Board Members Paul Balingit and Nelson Calara. –Ma. Reina Len Luna/PIO