Section 14Sec./Art. 14

A new section to be denominated as Section 17 of the same Act is hereby added to read as follows:

"Section 17.The Solo Parents Office or Division. -There shall be established a Solo Parent Office (SPO) in every province and city and a Solo Parent Division (SPD) under the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office in every municipality.

The head of the SPO must be a licensed social worker and the head of the SPD must possess a bachelor's degree.

The head of the SPO and SPD shall hold permanent position with at least a Salary Grade 12 and Salary Grade 10, respectively, and shall be appointed by the governor or mayor, as the case may be.

The SPO shall have at least three (3) staff members while the SPD shall have at least one (1) staff member.

The offices of the governor, mayor or social welfare office, as the case may be, shall exercise supervision over the SPO or SPD relative to their plans, programs and activities. The SPO or SPD shall establish linkages and work together with accredited civil society and nongovernmental organizations, political organizations, and thebarangaysin their respective areas.

The SPO or SPD shall:

(a) Plan, implement, and monitor yearly work programs in pursuance of the objectives of this Act;

(b) Draw up a list of available and required services from the solo parents;

(c) Maintain and regularly update, on a quarterly basis, the list of solo parents and issue free SPIC;

(d) Issue free booklets to solo parents;

(e) Serve as a general information and liaison center for solo parents;

(f) Monitor compliance with the provisions of this Act, particularly the grant of privileges and additional benefits;

(g) Report to the governor, mayor or office of the social welfare, any individual, establishment, business entity, institution or agency that violates any any provision of this Act;

(h) Assist the solo parents in filing the complaints against any individual, establishment, business entity, institution or agency that refuses or fails to provide the privileges and additional benefits of solo parents granted under this Act; and

(i) Provide such other services as may be required under this Act."