The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reinforces its efforts to uplift solo parent-headed families through the implementation of the Program SOLo or the Strengthening Opportunities for Lone Parents, according to an agency official.
Social Welfare Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao on Saturday said the initiative, designed to complement Republic Act 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, seeks to empower solo parent-headed families through economic assistance and holistic and technology-aided psychosocial support.
According to the DSWD spokesperson, the program primarily targets solo parent-headed families with two to three children below 22 years old, especially those living within close proximity to one another. It also encompasses solo parents from diverse categories as defined under the said law.
She emphasized that the Program SOLo goes beyond assistance and promotes transformation that aims to allow solo parent-headed families to enjoy a life that is “matatag” (secure), “maginhawa” (comfortable), and “panatag” (strongly rooted).
“We want to ensure that solo parents are not just surviving, but truly thriving. The program aims to allow solo parents to perform their parental roles despite the problems and challenges they face,” Dumlao said.
The program is designed for implementation at the local level, enabling local government units (LGUs) to provide tailored interventions that reflect the unique needs of solo parent-headed households in their communities.
Among its core objectives are the provision of client-centered family case management and service delivery, as well as the establishment of a parenting and emotional support system for solo parents.