BAGUIO CITY – The local legislature has passed on first reading a proposed ordinance providing discounts to solo parents with annual income of less than P250,000 in the city and penalties for violations thereof.
Authored by Vice Mayor Edison Bilog and councilor Faustino Olowan, the measure cites Republic Act No. 89072 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000 that makes it a State policy to promote the family as the foundation of the nation, strengthen its solidarity and ensure its total development.
“The city government of Baguio, in its desire to enable solo parents to cope with the high cost of living and education of their children, should provide additional benefits to solo parents through discounts that would lessen the burden of raising children alone and to ensure that their children are given the opportunity for a better future,” the ordinance states.
The proposed measure enumerates the items and services where solo parents in the city with an annual income of P250,000 or less be given at least a 10 percent discount.
It also defines what a “solo parent” is and the basis and qualifications for a solo parent to be able to enjoy the benefits of the ordinance.
Persons or companies found violating the measure’s provisions will be penalized a P1,500 fine for the first offense; P2,500 for the second offense; P5,000 fine and closure of business as may be ordered by the appropriate implementing agency for the third offense.
If the violator is a corporation, organization, or any similar entity, the officials and employees thereof directly involved shall be individually liable therefore and penalized as provided.
Persons found guilty of falsification of documents to avail of the solo parent benefits shall be fined P5,000 or one month imprisonment or both at the discretion of the court.
The ordinance tasks the city social welfare and development office to prepare the implementing rules and regulations, if necessary, subject to the approval of the city council and City Mayor.**gaby keith
