TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
0l t;
25 JUL21 A10 30
SENATE
S. No. 725
RHCElVl!;
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGIUNAN
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING JOB PLACEMENT OFFICES IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS TO 
PROVIDE CAREER SERVICES TO THE YOUTH, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013's (K-12 program) specialized 
academic tracks prepare senior high school students for either post-secondary 
education, or direct employment. This bill establishes the Trabaho Center, which are 
essential conduits to those who choose to immediately enter the work force.
Trabaho Centers are essential for effectively connecting senior high school 
graduates with employment opportunities. Said centers will provide the following: (a) 
employment facilitation by maintaining updated databases of local and overseas job 
vacancies and forging crucial job linkages with employers; (2) capacity building by 
offering career enhancement trainings and seminars to improve their employability; 
and (3) career advocacy and coaching by guiding students in career track selection, 
and values development.
By actively facilitating employment, building skills and providing career 
guidance, Trabaho Centers will maximize the potential of senior high school students, 
directly supporting them as they transition into being productive members of our 
society.


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
SenatoX


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
‘'"•■’lin* of il-
25 JUL 21 AIO 30
SENATE
S. No. 725
Rrcjivt, ■_
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING JOB PLACEMENT OFFICES IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS TO 
PROVIDE CAREER SERVICES TO THE YOUTH, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it 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 'Trabaho Center in 
Schools Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is the policy of the State to promote full 
employment and equality of employment opportunities for all, and to afford full 
protection to the youth entering the labor force. In line with the current reforms in 
the education sector, the State recognizes the need to prepare the youth in choosing 
the career tracks that they intend to pursue and to aid in matching senior high school 
students with career opportunities after graduation.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following terms 
shall refer to:
a) Career Advocacy Activities refer to a series of activities intended to prepare 
students for productive career decisions that include but is not limited to 
career assessment and coaching, trainings and job-matching;
b) Career Development Plan refers to an annual career development tool that 
outlines the intended outcomes and strategic management of


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programs/services to collectively achieve the end goals of the Trabaho
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Centers;
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c) Labor Market Information (LMI) refers to any information concerning the
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size, composition, functions, problems or opportunities of the labor market
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or any part thereof, including but not limited to employment-related
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intentions or aspirations of the labor market clients;
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d) National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) refers to a system of
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assessing or evaluating the potential or aptitude of each and every high
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school student to guide their decisions in pursuing further education or
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employment;
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e) Skills Registry System (SRS) refers to an existing system utilized by the
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Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) containing potential
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applicant and employment information.
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Sec. 4. Establishment of Trabaho Centers in Schools. - Job Placement Offices
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(JPOs), hereinafter referred to as 'Trabaho Centers," shall be established in all public
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high schools.
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Trabaho Centers shall work in coordination with the Provincial, City, or
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Municipal Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) and shall be supervised by the
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Trabaho Center Coordinators in Department of Education (DepEd) Division Offices.
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The Trabaho Center coordinators shall encourage partnerships among Educational
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Institutions (El), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Industry Associations and
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Members, and Local Government Units (LGUs) in the establishment and management
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of the Trabaho Centers.
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In applicable areas, existing JPOs in educational institutions shall continue to
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operate as Trabaho Centers subject to the provisions of this Act, including partnering
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with the private sector or NGOs for an online platform. The Trabaho Centers shall be
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responsible for preparing the youth in choosing career tracks fit for their talents, skills
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and preferences and in matching these to the needs of the current and future labor
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market.
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Sec. 5. Trabaho Center Career Advocates. - All Trabaho Centers shall have at
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least one (1) Trabaho Center Career Advocate with the following functions:


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a) Keep an up-to-date database of job vacancies from employers to facilitate 
the exchange of labor market information between young job seekers and 
employers by providing employment information services specific to Senior 
High School, both for local and overseas employment;
b) Provide job linkages and networks to employers in coordination with the 
provincial, city or municipal PESOs;
c) Develop and administer testing and evaluation instruments for effective job 
selection, training and coaching specific to young jobseekers currently 
enrolled in educational institutions. Provided, That examinations are 
administered by qualified professionals;
d) Organize or coordinate career enhancement trainings or seminars for young 
job seekers, as well as those who would like to pursue further education, 
livelihood or self- employment programs;
e) Provide career advocacy and coaching, mass motivation and values 
development activities integrated in career programs specifically designed 
for Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum students;
f) Connect and partner with concerned NGOs to expand opportunities in 
improving the quality of employment facilitation programs offered in their 
school;
g) Lead the teachers within their school in the administration of the annual 
National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) and assist the students in 
understanding how to use their test results as guide in choosing their career 
tracks;
h) Prepare and submit to the Trabaho Center Coordinator a school specific 
annual career development plan and budget, including other regular funding 
sources and budgetary support; and
i) Prepare and submit a quarterly progress report on students assisted and 
coached to the Trabaho Center Coordinator.
Sec. 6. Trabaho Center in Division Offices. - Each DepEd Division Office shall 
appoint a Trabaho Center Coordinator who shall:
a) Coordinate with the LGU, PESO, the Local School Board (LSB), and Parent 
Teacher Association (PTA) in the creation of the annual key career planning
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tool for their division, taking into consideration track preferences of students 
in their respective divisions and the industry most relevant to their area;
b) Monitor the planning, implementation and evaluation of career facilitation 
programs and materials of Trabaho Centers in Schools;
c) Convene Career Advocates from the different Trabaho Centers under their 
respective divisions for the creation of modules or guides contextualized to 
cover their local industry;
d) Share best practices among divisions and other Trabaho Centers in the 
country in a modality that would be most efficient to the institution;
e) Train Career Advocates in the administration of testing and evaluation 
instruments for effective job selection, counseling, career guidance, mass 
motivation and values development activities to be implemented for the 
career programs;
f) Utilize the DOLE'S Skills Registry System (SRS) to manage the records of 
transactions in relation to career facilitation and relay information to Trabaho 
Centers in Schools;
g) Consolidate necessary information technology structures and systems to 
improve the collection, processing, analysis, report development and 
dissemination of youth career preferences and existing labor market 
information; and
h) Provide linkages to training providers needed by the schools in relation to 
local industry.
Sec. 7. Qualifications of Trabaho Center Career Advocates. - Notwithstanding 
the provisions of Section 27 of Republic Act No. 9258, otherwise known as the 
"Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004", career and employment advocates, who are 
not registered and licensed guidance counselors, shall be allowed to conduct career 
advocacy activities for students of the school where they are currently employed: 
Provided, That they undergo training programs related to career advocacy.
Career advocates employed shall hold a non-teaching position and shall focus 
on activities for youth employability programs in coordination with the DOLE and other 
relevant agencies and partner institutions, both public and private.


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Sec. 8. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical Vocational
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Institutions (JVIs). - Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical Vocational
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Institutions (TVIs) are encouraged to establish Trabaho Centers in their schools to
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prepare their students in choosing career tracks fit for their talents, skills and
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preferences and in matching these to the needs of the current and future labor market,
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in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 9. Information Dissemination. - The Philippine Information Agency, in
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coordination with the DepEd, DOLE and the DILG, shall ensure proper and adequate
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information dissemination of the contents and benefits of this Act to pertinent entities
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in all provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays.
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Sec. 10. Appropriations. -The amount necessary to implement the provisions
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of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DepEd.
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Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be
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included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
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the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, in coordination with Department of Labor and
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Employment (DOLE), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),
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Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
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and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other relevant
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agencies shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the
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provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of other
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provisions hereof.
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Sec. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive order, and rules and
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regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
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repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date
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of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation.
Approved