Getting a Solo Parent ID in Quezon City

I am a single parent. Being a single parent is generally a challenge.  I take full responsibility in taking care of my child to the best of my knowledge and skills until such time he can fully take care and be responsible for himself.  Being a solo parent also has its benefits and privileges, some of them are identified in RA 8972 or the Solo Parent’s Welfare Act of 2000.  One can look it up on the net.  I was encouraged to apply for a Solo Parent ID now that my son is attending school for the first time.  He is attending school in one of the Day Care Centers supervised by the Quezon City Local Government in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Here are the steps in getting a Solo Parent ID in Quezon City:

1.  Go to your barangay hall and request for the Barangay Certification certifying Solo Parent’s residency in the barangay for the last six months.  I brought a government issued ID for identification.  I was interviewed by the Barangay Captain himself before he signed the certificate.  I did not pay anything for this certificate which somehow surprised me, but I'm happy that our barangay provided it as a "free" service.

2.  Prepare an affidavit of circumstance stating the reason for becoming a solo parent.  Of course, this must be notarized.  Prices vary for this one. It depends if you prepare/print the affidavit yourself or have the notary public do it from scratch.

3.  Have with you the birth certificate of the child/children you are supporting and death certificate of spouse (if applicable).

4.  You may need to bring income tax return or any document that will establish the income level of the solo parent.

5.  Prepare latest picture (1x1). This will be attached to the ID.

6.  Go to the Quezon City Hall Social Services Development Department (SSDD) - City Hall Compound, Molave Youth Home - 924-14-12, 926-93-44, 926-18-24, 927-15-88 and 924-14-40 (telefax)

7.  Fill-up an application form to be given by the social worker.  Along with this, you must submit the items indicated above (items 1 to 4).  You will be given a telephone number to check if you have been approved and if your ID is ready.  The social worker told me to wait for a week.

8.  After a week, I went to pick up my Solo Parent ID.  They asked me to sign a logbook.

I also encourage other solo parents out there to apply for a solo parent ID so that the government may have an idea how big the population of solo parents are in Quezon City.  Such will help them establish or create projects relevant to single parents.

Please note that a "solo parent", as defined by RA 8972 is (copied from http://www.gov.ph/services/solo-parent/):

1.  A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without a final conviction of the offender, provided that mother keeps and raises the child.

2.  Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to the following circumstances:
a. Due to death of spouse.
b. Spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one (1) year.
c. Physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner.
d. Legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least one (1) year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children.
e. Declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as decreed by a court or by a church as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children.

3.  Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep and rear her/his child/children instead of having others care for them or give them up to a welfare institution.

4.  Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children.

5.  Any family member who assumes the responsibility of head of family as a result of the death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo parent.

Steps in getting NBI Clearance at Quezon City Hall

As part of the requirements in getting an occupational permit and in preparation for my passport renewal, I applied for an NBI clearance.  The nearest, most convenient and strategic place where I can get my NBI clearance is in Quezon City Hall.  It is specifically located at the front of the Red Cross Building near Kalayaan Avenue-side of Quezon City Hall Compound.

Here are the steps in getting NBI Clearance in Quezon City Hall:

1.  Documentation
Prepare/bring a photocopy of  a valid ID (i.e. Driver's License, SSS ID, passport etc.).  Give this to the person who is in charge of handing out the NBI Clearance Application Form.

There are photocopiers around so don't fret if you don't have a photocopy of your ID.  Of course make sure that you have your original ID on hand if in case you need to show it or have it photocopied.

2 and 3.  Payment & Filling-in of application form.
It depends what time you will go to the NBI Satellite Office in Quezon City Hall, if you would go there morning expect heavy crowd, but if you go there in the afternoon it is more likely that the number of people is significantly few.  Look for the right line and ask for the person in front of you if he/she is lining for payment.

While waiting for your turn to pay do multi-tasking and fill-in your application form.  Give accurate and complete information so that you will eliminate "hits" which may prevent you from getting your NBI clearance on that day.  Bring your black pen and make sure you write in "PRINT".

Payment for NBI Clearance varies depending on the purpose.  I paid PhP115 with the purpose of "travel" You will have 2 documents on hand at this point, your NBI Clearance application form and your Official Receipt

4.  Encoding
Here, your task is to make sure that the encoder correctly encodes/types your information on the computer.

You will hand in your NBI Clearance Application form and show the receipt but this will be given back to you after encoding.

5 and 6.  Biometric and photo.
You will be asked to have your photo taken and/or your fingerprints electronically be scanned.  Note that if you wear a sleeveless top you will not be allowed unless you have a long hair and you can wear it down to mask your being in sleeveless top.  An alternative is use or borrow blazer, a jacket or a pashmina scarf.

You will hand in your NBI Clearance Application form and show the receipt but this will be given back to you.

At this point you will be given instructions  if you need to come back at a certain date to have your NBI Clearance released (it means they need more time to sort out your information because you have "hit/s") or if you can proceed to the Printing and Releasing section.

7 and 8.  Printing and Releasing.  Submission of NBI Clearance Application form and Official Receipt.
You will wait for your turn for them to print your NBI Clearance.  They will get your application form and  shred the official receipt.  I don't know why they don't return the Official Receipt.

Notes:
NBI Satellite office in Quezon City Hall is located across the Red Cross Building.
"Hit/s" is having a similar name who happens to have a pending criminal case or "you" have a pending criminal case.

General Observations and Recommendations
1.  It's hot in there.  For your protection bring water and fan.

Given the volume of people getting their NBI clearance, I hope that provisions for humidifiers or air coolers can be provided.  If not I hope that they would construct the covered area with a higher ceiling for air to flow more freely.

2.  The lines are long.  Bring a book or ask someone to fall in line for you for the next step.  Go there after lunch or around 2 pm.

I suggest a "number system" should be implemented.


Note: There is a new system of getting an NBI clearance starting 2014... will update in a new post the new system.  Thanks.