CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) conducted a Regional Solo Parents’ General Assembly to discuss relevant and pertinent issues and policies.
DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operations Venus Rebuldela said this assembly is meant to continuously advocate for the rights and welfare of solo parents.
“As stated in Republic Act 8972 otherwise known as Solo Parents Act of the Philippines, it is the responsibility of the State to promote the family as the foundation of the nation, strengthen its solidarity and ensure its total development. Thus, we gather our solo parents to evaluate the progress of their organization in the locale and plan for their ways forward,” Rebuldela said.
Meanwhile, DSWD Regional Focal Person for Solo Parents Rosario Cebricus urged solo parents to register in their respective areas because knowing their real numbers will pave the way for the passage of the RA 8972 amendment.
For her part, Central Luzon Regional Federation of Solo Parents (CLRFSP) reported their accomplishments in terms of massive orientation of RA 8972 all over the region.
“We started with few members, with little funds or no funds at all, we started with only few benefits. But because of our strength and passion, we are continuously expanding and enriching our group,” outgoing CLRFSP President Rebecca Peñaranda said.
Representatives from San Miguel, Bulacan also shared their best practices including solo parents registration and profiling, skills trainings, local employment and livelihood programs, health promotion, and partnership with the municipal government which paved way for the institutionalization of additional benefits such as discounts.
Serving as the highlight of the assembly was the election of the new set of officers wherein Teresita Pineda was elected President and Mary Jane Delgado was chosen as Vice President.
Others who were elected include Roselle Mendoza as Secretary, Delia Taruc as Treasurer, Jerome Gonzales as Auditor, Zenaida Caalim as Public Relations Officer, Maritess Dalindin and Janet Cruz as Business Managers, and Rebecca Peñaranda, Cristine Ponce, and Evelyn Cabanes as Advisers.
Also chosen were Provincial Coordinators namely Deolito Castro for Aurora, Carolina Damaso for Bataan, Rosalie Javier and Feni Evangelista for Bulacan, Melvin Del Rosario and Marcos Mendoza for Nueva Ecija, Angel Jose and Freddie Santos for Pampanga, and Elizabeth Perolina for Tarlac.