Valenzuela mayor pledges assistance to viral solo parent with ID, housing concerns

MANILA — Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian has met with Amanda Alvarez, whose complaint over delays in obtaining a Solo Parent ID went viral on social media, and pledged assistance with her application and housing concerns.

In a statement, the city government said Gatchalian would help Alvarez complete the remaining documentary requirements for her Solo Parent ID to facilitate its release.

“Sunday ho ngayon so wala hong opisina and then gaya ng sabi ko, meron lang kaming, in compliance po sa batas natin on Solo Parent ID, may iilan na lang naman na compliance na kami na rin po ang tutulong kay Amanda rin para makumpleto na natin at marelease kaagad yung ID,” Gatchalian said during their meeting at city hall.

Alvarez had complained about repeatedly visiting the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) for nearly three months to process the ID, which she sought in connection with caring for her nieces and nephews.

City officials had earlier said incomplete documentary requirements contributed to the delay.

Gatchalian acknowledged the difficulties Alvarez faced in securing the documents, saying he understood her frustration.

“Sinisikap naman talaga ni Amanda balikan yung mga old papers, balikan even yung simbahan. Talagang frustrating talaga. Hindi ko mabe-blame si Amanda,” the mayor said.

Gatchalian also addressed Alvarez’s housing concerns, saying she and her family were already on the waiting list for a unit at Disiplina Village but would have to wait for availability.

“Most important, nasa waitlist na po si Ma’am Amanda at ang kanyang pamilya. Ang hinihintay na lang natin ay yung availability rin ng unit dahil puno po ang ating Disiplina Village ngayon,” he said.

The mayor added that the city government was willing to help applicants comply with housing requirements, noting that the list of prospective beneficiaries came from the National Housing Authority (NHA).

“May list na ibibigay po ang Housing Department natin. Ito pong list ay hindi ho galing sa lokal na pamahalaan kundi list po ito ng National Housing Authority … Pero we are willing naman to help Amanda and other beneficiaries natin sa pagcocomply ng mga requirements natin,” Gatchalian said.

The mayor also addressed the controversy surrounding the viral video, stressing that the city government would provide assistance to constituents regardless of gender identity or religious affiliation.

“We move forward in extending whatever assistance we could give sa ating mga constituents, regardless po [if] you’re member of the LGBTQ [community] or regardless of any religion, ay we will extend what is due to them,” he said.

Gatchalian also asked the public to understand that government offices must comply with documentary requirements under existing laws, warning that officials could be held liable for improperly issuing IDs or allocating housing units.

“Kami naman din po sana maintindihan ng taong bayan na kami rin po ang magiging liable kapag pinalusot namin, magrelease ng government ID or magbigay ng unit na hindi pala tama ang papeles,” he said.

For her part, Alvarez apologized to those affected by the viral video, including the mayor, and clarified that she had not experienced what she considered to be improper treatment from CSWDO personnel.

“Unang una po sa lahat, humihingi po ako ng paumanhin doon sa mga taong naapektuhan ng viral video, lalong lalo na po sa ating butihing Mayor Wes Gatchalian … Lagi ko nga pong sinasabi na yung CSWD naman is wala naman po talaga akong nakitang hindi magandang pagtrato sa akin,” Alvarez said.

The city government said Alvarez would coordinate with the CSWDO to resume processing her Solo Parent ID, with local officials assisting her in completing the remaining requirements.