Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill 8745

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Pepito M. Pico

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Itis not surprising for a young person, fresh out of college and aspiring to have a decent
opportunity and livelihood, to find himself/herself at a loss on how to pay for the many pre-
employment documents, clearances and applications required of hinvher by a prospective
employer.

The requirements include Police or NBI Clearance, identification card or number from
Social Security System, certification or community tax certificate from the local government,
tax identification number (or TIN) and other fees to be paid.

The situation is somewhat difficult and at times oppressive considering that the new
graduates are usually seeking employment precisely to obtain a regular income for the first
time and that by the time a student graduates, the family resources are often severely depleted
because of the high costs of a college education.

This bill- a refiling of House Bill 4997 filed by former DIWA Party-list Representative
Emmeline Villar- seeks to address this situation not by means of a dole-out, but by a reasonable
waiver of the fees collected by the government for various clearances, applications, licenses,
and other documents from fresh graduates wanting to work and to be productive members of
society.

It is simple measure that intends not only to provide relief but also to show the State’s
commitment to promote the interest of the youth. The waiver of these fees must be taken not
as a loss of revenue for the government, but as an investment in labor force, which is in its best
interest to protect and promote.

The urgent passage of this bill is highly recommended.

PEPITO M. PICO
Representative, DIWA Party-list

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. Oe

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Pepito M. Pico

AN ACT
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO FRESH GRADUATES BY WAIVING
GOVERNMENT FEES AND CHARGES COLLECTED IN CONNECTION WITH
DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT

Be enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Fresh Graduates Pre-
Employment Assistance Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. —It is the policy of the State to protect the interest of
the youth. It shall endeavor to provide to them opportunities for development by creating
policies that improve access to employment.

SEC. 3. Waiver of Fees and Charges. ~ All government agencies and instrumentalities,
including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local government
units (LGUs), shall not collect fees or charges from a fresh graduate Filipino citizen; Provided,
that such fee or charge is paid in connection with the application for the granting of licenses,
proof of identification , clearance, certificate, or other document usually required in the course
of employment; Provided further, that the person is applying for such license, proof of
identification, clearance, certificate, or other document within one (1) year after graduation
from high school, college or any vocational or technical course; Provided, furthermore, that the
fees and charges to be waived shall not include those collected in connection with the granting
of a professional licensure examination by the Professional Regulation Commission or with
granting of a Philippine passport by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

SEC. 4. Proof of Graduation. — To avail of the waiver authorized by this Act, a citizen
must submit to the government agency or instrumentality concerned a copy of his or her
diploma, certification, document or communication from the academic, vocational or technical
institution from which he or she graduated, written or issued to the effect that such person has

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indeed successfully completed the course required. The diploma, certification, document, or
communication should clearly state the date of graduation or completion and the course
completed or degree earned, and should be signed by the institution's duly authorized
representative.

Such copy of the diploma, certification, document, or communication submitted, even
if not original or certified true copy, shall serve as prima facie evidence of the fact and date of
graduation and shall be sufficient for the government agency to grant the waiver; provided, that
any person found to be guilty of fabricating or falsifying and proof of graduation as described
in this Section, shall be liable under Article 172 (Falsification and Use of Falsified Documents)
of the Revised Penal Code.

SEC. 4. Proof of Graduation. - To avail of the waiver authorized by this Act, a citizen
must submit to the government agency or instrumentality concerned a copy of his or her
diploma, certification, document, or communication from the academic, vocational or technical
institution from which he or she graduated, written or issued to the effect that such person has
indeed successfully completed the course required. The diploma, certification, document, or
communication should clearly state the date of graduation or completion and the course
completed or degree earned, and should be signed by the institution duly authorized
representative.

Such copy of the diploma, certification, document, or communication submitted, even
if not original or certified true copy, shall serve as prima facie evidence of the fact and date of
graduation and shall be sufficient for the government agency to grant the waiver, provided, that
any person found to be guilty of fabrication or falsifying any proof graduation as described in
this Section, shall be liable under Article 172 (Falsification and Use of Falsified Documents)
of the Revised Penal Code.

SEC. 5. Administrative Offense. —No government agency or instrumentality shall issue
unduly restrictive regulations for the carrying out of its provisions to render nugatory the
benefit of the waiver prescribed. Such shall constitute an administrative offense punishable
under the Administrative Code and other pertinent laws.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~The Commission on Higher Education
in consultation with the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Interior and Local
Government shall issue the relevant rules and regulations to effectively implement the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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