Loren aims to empower single parents

MANILA – A bill proposes to exempt single parents from paying personal income tax and provide them discount on all infant and nursery products.

Known as Senate Bill No. (SBN) 243, the measure authored by Sen. Loren Legarda aims to help these individuals cope with financial stress.

“Solo parents perform parental duties single-handedly in the face of these challenges. We want to provide solo parents with additional benefits, such as discounts from purchases for their children’s basic needs,” Legarda said.

Under SBN 243, solo parents shall get a 10 percent discount from all purchases of clothing and clothing materials for his or her child for two years from child birth.

The beneficiary is also entitled to a 15 percent discount from all purchases of baby’s milk, food and food supplements, the bill states.

Medicine purchases for the child also qualify for a 15 percent discount.

“Through this amendment, we are assisting the solo parents to be able to provide a better future for their children,” said Legarda referring to Republic Act 8972, or the Solo Parents Welfare Act.

The Antiqueña senator stressed that the above-mentioned benefits can only be enjoyed by single parents who do not receive financial support from the child’s other parent.