MAGNA CARTA FOR FILIPINO WOMEN

I recently discovered through a colleague of mine that there is a Magna Carta for Filipino women. Republic Act 9710 protects and recognize women in the workplace and promote women's rights. 

Here are the salient features of the law taken from the website of the Philippine Commission on Women http://pcw.gov.ph/law/republic-act-9710:

1. Increasing the number of women in third level positions in government to achieve a fifty-fifty (50-50) gender balance within the next five years while the composition of women in all levels of development planning and program implementation will be at least 40 percent;
2. Leave benefits of two (2) months with full pay based on gross monthly compensation for women employees who undergo surgery caused by gynecological disorders, provided that they have rendered continuous aggregate employment service of at least six (6) months for the last twelve (12) months;
3. Non-discrimination in employment in the field of military, police and other similar services that include according the same promotional privileges and opportunities as their men counterpart, including pay increases, additional benefits, and awards, based on competency and quality of performance.
4. Provision for equal access and elimination of discrimination in education, scholarships, and training. Thus, "expulsion, non-readmission, prohibiting enrollment, and other related discrimination of women students and faculty due to pregnancy out of marriage shall be outlawed.
5. Non-discriminatory and non-derogatory portrayal of women in media and film to raise the consciousness of the general public in recognizing the dignity of women and the role and contribution of women in family, community, and the society through the strategic use of mass media;
6. Equal status given to men and women on the titling of the land and issuance of stewardship contracts and patents.

Solo parents like me and women at that, rejoice in this law because we'll never really know what and when sickness comes to us. Having a protection of a special leave benefit in case of a surgical procedure due to a gynecological disorder is a tremendous help for a person whose a lone breadwinner of the family. Hospitalization nowadays cost a lot and we need all the financial assistance that we can get.

God bless everyone!

  

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Solo Parent's Welfare Act or R.A. 8972

I recently came across an article from the National Census Office about the Solo Parent's Welfare Act or R.A. 8972. 

This law aims to develop a comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their children to be carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Here's the site: http://www.census.gov.ph/content/q-solo-parents-welfare-act-and-parental-leave

To summarize - Any solo parent whose income in the place of domicile falls below the poverty threshold as set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and subject to the assessment of the DSWD worker in the area shall be eligible for assistance. A Solo Parent can directly inquire from the following agencies to avail of their services:

1. Health Services (DOH)

2. Educational Services (CHED, TESDA)

3. Housing (NHA)

4. Parental Leave (Employer, DOLE, CSC) Solo parent whose income is above the poverty threshold shall enjoy only such limited benefits as flexible work schedule, parental leave and others to be determined by the DSWD.

In my case, since my salary is above the poverty threshold of P5,458.00 per month, my solo parent privilege consists of flexible work schedule, free from work discrimination and parental leave of 7 days a year only.

Here's another site that you may want to check out:

http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2000/ra_8972_2000.html

I'm glad that the Philippine government is doing something with regards to our sector in the society. 

Aja solo parents!

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TURNING 42

This year is my 42nd. And this year proves to be really challenging for my sake. Firstly, my 2 kids were turned over by their father to me. For some reasons, he gave them up and transferred the responsibility of their welfare to me of which he proudly hold for the last two years and five months that we've separated. He even had the nerve to tell me that " now you know how difficult it is to raise the kids up on your own." Not thinking that when we were together, how difficult it was for me to raise up three kids and at the same time deal with an irresponsible and alcoholic partner. Good thing though is that my kids are finally with me and even if its financially difficult for me being a solo parent, having them in one roof is reward enough.

Secondly, I had to deal with a small space of a house. Good thing though there are kind and generous souls who helped me in my hour of need. I was able to extend our kitchen without knowing that a few weeks after it will be very useful. We're full house now because my mother is staying with us temporarily.

Thirdly, my mother got sick and she needs to stay in my house for awhile until her strength comes back. A bit  difficult when my siblings are not there because I have my house and kids to think of at the same time. My weekends are full. My weekdays starts at 4am and ends at the 10pm when I'm supposed to be in bed at 8 so I can wake up at 4. Everyday is a grind really. Good thing though when my siblings are there and taking care of our mom because that leaves me to do other things in the house. My kids, well, sometimes they help, sometimes they don't. Moreso, when I give them something to do, I will hear a lot of "you're supposed to do this, you're supposed to do that" and other blah blah blahs. 

Fourthly, I incur a lot of lates and absences at work because of concerns with regards to my mom. I appreciate the fact that my superior understands my situation at the moment.

Lastly, I am still having difficulty straightening my finances. It's hard to maintain a budget moreso a savings. And I incur additional borrowings through my salary to help pay off mom's hospital bill. 

Stress headache, numbness on my right cheek, body aches and pains. Pressure on bill payments and time.Turning forty two is not really that bad but the challenges I face daily,  if my faith in God is not strong enough, can turn me into a pulp.

As I told my friends, I am not afraid of what's happening with my life/family right now because "these too shall pass" and God is leading and guiding my way to victory. 

Solo parents are awesome people!

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Bacolaodiat 2013

For eight years now, Bacolod City where I live has been celebrating the Chinese New Year with a bang! It is becoming a tradition for both Chinese descent Filipinos and Filipinos to celebrate the turn of the lunar year.  I myself loved the festivities with all the colorful street decors, gimmicks, promos, fireworks and entertainments as provided by the organizers. Lacson Street in Bacolod City is again closed for three (3) consecutive nights just for the festivities. 

This year is the Year of the Snake. My second daughter Ceci was born on the year of the snake. And, so I took this opportunity to have her pictures taken with the different snake lanterns that were being displayed at the Capitol Lagoon Park. 

This one is huge!

This one is my favorite...made of capiz shells,
the lights inside the snake lantern made it look like its burning.

Light is too low ^^

this snake is curled up in a temple

this gold snake has gold coins around it

uhm....teacher snake?

this one has a mechanical head that's moving left and right...cool!

this snake is made of wood bits and covered with christmas lights ^^

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1960's PARTY

Although this is late, I'd like to share with you the events I attended last December 2012. December is such a busy month to most of us and I am always looking forward to the Christmas parties and festivities. For last year's EGC (English for Global Communications) Christmas Party, our theme was the 1960's.....rock n'roll, the Supremes, Elvis Presley, Jackie Kennedy, bell-bottom pants, tie-dye, batik, pageboy flip, among others. 

This is how we look during the party!

mini dress and Audrey Hepburn style

The rock n'roll girls

pretty pretty girls

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HEALTHY PANDESAL

I am always on the look-out for healthy and affordable food. And I found this healthy pandesal in one of my weekend trip in my hometown Hinigaran. Carol Jean a souvenir shop located along Rizal Street and just in front of Madeleine Academy sells these pandesal infused with malunggay leaves and carrot bits. Believe it or not, these "pandesals" costs P1 each. Healthy and affordable indeed.

Pandesal with malunggay

Carol Jean's other variation of pandesal 

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