Senatorial candidate and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos has vowed to push for legislation that will promote the well-being of mothers, especially those who are solo parents like her.
“Sabi nila, the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. At ang mga nanay na tulad natin ang tunay na rockstars,” Marcos said.
“Tayong mga nanay ang nagkakandakuba sa trabaho habang nagsisilbi pa ring ilaw ng tahanan; tayo ang napipilitang iwan ang mga sariling anak natin upang mangibang-bansa at mag-alaga ng anak ng iba; at tulad ko, tayo ang tumataguyod sa ating mga anak nang mag-isa,” she added.
Marcos said the almost decade-old Solo Parents Welfare Act must be updated to reflect the needs of single parents, especially mothers who have to raise their children on their own.
“Extending a 20 percent discount on basic goods and services to single parents will greatly benefit them and help ease their plight,” she said.
“We will also push for laws that will empower women more by addressing discriminatory practices and providing immediate assistance for women in distress situations. Child care centers for solo working moms must also be mandatory,” Marcos added.
The governor noted that empowering women, especially mothers, should go beyond lip service as this will be crucial in improving the country’s economic growth.
“Mothers are usually left out of the political discourse. But really, they are present everywhere—mula bahay hanggang bukid, mula sa mga sari-sari store hanggang sa ibang bansa—women and mothers are movers in government and the corporate world, not just in households,” she said.
“This is why I am excited to work hand-in-hand with fellow mothers in the Senate,” she added. “By God’s grace, I could be the fifth, and solo mother pa!”