Solo Parent Leave: 7 Days Under RA 8972

Under Republic Act No. 8972 (Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000), as amended by Republic Act No. 11861 (Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2022), solo parents who have rendered at least one year of service are entitled to 7 working days of paid parental leave per year. The employee must present a valid Solo Parent ID issued by the DSWD or the local social welfare office.

Who Qualifies as a Solo Parent

RA 8972, as expanded by RA 11861, defines a solo parent as any individual who falls under any of the following circumstances:

Circumstance	Description
Unmarried parent	Gave birth to or is raising a child alone
Separated parent	Legally separated or has an annulled marriage, with sole custody of the child
Widowed parent	Spouse has died
Spouse imprisoned	Spouse is serving a sentence of at least 1 year
Spouse physically/mentally incapacitated	Spouse is unable to provide support due to disability
OFW spouse	Spouse is absent from the country for at least 1 year
Abandoned spouse	Left by spouse for at least 1 year
Unmarried parent (father or mother)	Sole provider and caregiver of the child
Family head	Any family member who assumes parental responsibility (e.g., grandparent raising grandchildren)

RA 11861 Expansions (2022)

Republic Act No. 11861, signed on June 3, 2022, amended RA 8972 and introduced several improvements:

• Broader definition of solo parent to cover more qualifying circumstances
• Flexible work arrangements — solo parents may request modified work schedules (compressed workweek, flexitime, telecommuting) subject to employer approval
• Protection from discrimination — employers cannot refuse to hire, promote, or assign work based on solo parent status
• Automatic renewal simplification — streamlined the Solo Parent ID renewal process
• Livelihood programs — expanded government support services for solo parents

Leave Details

Duration and Pay

• 7 working days per calendar year, with full pay
• Pay is based on the employee's regular daily wage
• The leave is employer-shouldered — there is no SSS reimbursement for solo parent leave

Eligibility Requirements

1. Must be a solo parent as defined by RA 8972/RA 11861
2. Must have rendered at least 1 year of service with the employer (whether continuous or broken)
3. Must hold a valid Solo Parent ID issued by the city/municipal DSWD office
4. Must notify the employer by presenting the Solo Parent ID

Important Limitations

• Non-cumulative: Unused days do not carry over to the next year
• Non-convertible: Cannot be exchanged for cash
• Annual renewal: The Solo Parent ID must be renewed annually; the leave cannot be availed without a valid, current ID

How to Avail Solo Parent Leave

Step	Action
1	Obtain or renew Solo Parent ID from CSWDO/MSWDO
2	Present the Solo Parent ID to the employer's HR department
3	File a leave application specifying solo parent leave
4	Employer verifies the valid ID and approves the leave

The employer may require the Solo Parent ID to be presented at the beginning of each calendar year for leave entitlement purposes, but cannot impose additional requirements beyond what the law prescribes.

Interaction With Other Leave Benefits

Solo parent leave is separate from and in addition to all other statutory leave benefits:

Leave Type	Days	Can Solo Parent Claim?
Service incentive leave (Art. 95)	5 days	Yes
Maternity leave (RA 11210)	105 + 15 days	Yes (the +15 is the solo parent extension)
Paternity leave (RA 8187)	7 days	Yes, if married male
Solo parent leave (RA 8972)	7 days	Yes
VAWC leave (RA 9262)	10 days	Yes, if applicable

A solo mother giving birth could receive: 105 days maternity + 15 days solo parent maternity extension + 7 days solo parent leave = 127 days of leave in the year of delivery.

Employer Penalties

Under RA 11861, employers who refuse to grant solo parent leave or discriminate against solo parents may face:

• Fines ranging from ₱50,000 to ₱200,000
• Criminal liability for repeated violations
• Administrative sanctions from DOLE

Related Guides

• Maternity Leave: 105 Days Under RA 11210 — Includes the 15-day solo parent extension
• Paternity Leave: 7 Days Under RA 8187 — Paternity leave for married male employees
• Employee Leave Entitlements in the Philippines — Complete guide to all statutory leave types
• Philippine Payroll Compliance Guide — End-to-end payroll compliance

Legal References

• Republic Act No. 8972 — Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000
• Republic Act No. 11861 — Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act (2022), amending RA 8972
• IRR of RA 8972 — DSWD-DOLE-DOH-DepEd Implementing Rules
• Republic Act No. 11210 — Expanded Maternity Leave Law, Section 3 (additional 15 days for solo parents)

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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. While we strive for accuracy by citing official Philippine laws and government circulars, regulations change. Consult a qualified professional or the relevant government agency for advice specific to your situation.