by Naralyn Jasareno

          April 2026 – The Schools Division of Sorsogon City concluded the Solo Parents’ Week with the celebration of the National Solo Parents’ day with the Teaching and Non – Teaching personnel, identified as Solo parents via online registration. A total of 37 DepEd personnel enjoyed grocery packages, 5 kilos of rice and food packages from the SDO. The activity was led by Schools Division Superintendent Sir William E. Gando with the different section/department heads. As explained by Sir George Paguio – PSDS and SDO GAD Focal, this is the first time that such activity occurred. Both the SGOD Chief Florena Deuna and SDS William E. Gando recognized the hardships of a solo parent, juggling between their jobs as public servants and their equally important task as single parents to their children. The activity was conducted in adherence to the mandate of the RA 11861, otherwise known as the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act which declared the third week of April as the Solo Parents’ Week and the National Solo Parents’ Day. The SDO of Sorsogon City opted to celebrate it on April 23, 2026. Likewise, the activity involved the support of different sponsors and partners in education.

          The event has left a mark on the happy faces and hearts of the Solo Parents. This event was not only done in order to accomplish what the law has provided but more importantly to recognize and make the recipients feel that the whole division is one with them in the path they are in. The division also reminded the solo parents who are not yet registered and those who possess expired solo parent IDs, to register and renew in their respective CSWDO for them to be able to enjoy the privileges of a solo parent that are mandated by the law.