A bill aiming to penalize parents, particularly fathers, who neglect their responsibility to support their children’s education and basic needs has cleared the House committee on the welfare of children.
House Bill 8987, titled “An Act Ensuring Child Support and Penalizing Parental Refusal or Neglect Thereof,” will now undergo review by the House appropriations committee to address funding requirements for its implementation.
The proposed measure, authored by several lawmakers including ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, seeks to impose penalties of up to six years in prison for parents who refuse to provide financial support. Tulfo emphasized the urgent need for the legislation, citing the plight of many single mothers struggling to secure financial assistance for their children.
“This bill is long overdue. Mothers should not have to beg or plead for the support their children deserve,” said Tulfo, who co-authored the bill alongside Reps. Jocelyn Tulfo, Edvic Yap, Eric Go Yap, and Ralph Tulfo, among others.
The proposal also outlines the establishment of a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office to oversee the law’s enforcement, with the financial support amounts determined in collaboration with the National Economic and Development Authority.
The bill’s authors estimate that around 15 million sole parents in the Philippines would benefit from the measure, providing them with a legal tool to secure their children’s basic needs.
“This is not just about financial support; it’s about accountability and ensuring children receive what they need to thrive,” Tulfo added.
The appropriations committee, chaired by Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, will next determine the necessary budget to implement the proposed law effectively.
