Unpacking the Dynamism of Cagayan De Oro Solo Parent Program: A Case of Program Implementation in Cagayan De Oro City

A recent World Health Organization survey revealed that there are 15 million solo parents in the Philippines, with over 14 million (95 percent) being women (WHO, 2024). In Cagayan de Oro, one thousand five hundred twenty-two (1,522) registered solo parents were documented by the City Social Welfare and Development Department for the calendar year 2022-2023. The Republic Act 11861 or “Expanded Solo Parent Welfare Act took effect in November 2022 to promote the welfare of solo parents and their children by providing them with social protection, educational support, and other benefits, while also preventing discrimination against them. This also concerns the purpose of Sustainable Development Goals to target end poverty, achieve peace, prosperity, and a sustainable future by addressing the global challenges by 2030. Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5), focuses on achieving gender equality. Today, solo-parent families have become even more common, headed by a mother, father, or even grandparents raising their grandchildren. Life of a solo parent is never easy; it is a combination of emotional and financial hardship. There are studies that explored the impact of the solo parent programs on solo parents’ lives, but have excluded the effectiveness and implementation process of the program. This research investigated the way of living and the resources for support that are accessible. This study examined the effectiveness of the implementation of the Solo Parent Program of Cagayan de Oro. The researcher intended to highlight the need for improved support systems for solo parents by looking at their experiences and the programs they availed.