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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 1654

Introduced by HON. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA.
4TH DISTRICT, BULACAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State must provide an employment-friendly atmosphere for fresh graduates. This policy
will effectively protect the interest of the youth and facilitate access to employment

Traditionally, they seek employment to secure a regular income for the first time and by that
time a student graduates, the family resources are often already severely depleted due to high costs of
tertiary education. Moreover, a college graduate is required by his prospective employer to submit
many clearances and documents, such as NBI clearance, SSS ID, certification from the local
government unit and other fees to be paid. This becomes unreasonable, oppressive and even
unconstitutional

This bill seeks to address this situation by authorizing a reasonable waiver of fees collected by
government for various clearances, licenses, and other documents from fresh graduates desirous to
work and become productive members of society. The waiver of fees must not be treated as a
diminution of revenues for the government, but as an instrument to protect the interest of our youth,

This proposed bill was filed during the 15* Congress and was referred to the House Committee
on Labor and Employment. It was not taken up due to time constraints. This bill is filed for the
consideration of the 16" Congress.

‘Support for the enactment of this measure is earnestly requested

REP. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA


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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 1654

Introduced by HON. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA.
4TH DISTRICT, BULACAN

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

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 “Fresh Graduates Pre-employment
Assistance Act of 2012”,

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

SEC. 3. Waiver of Fees and Charges. - Subject to exceptions in Section 5 of this Act, 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 Filipino citizen;
Provided, that such fee or charge is paid in connection with the application for and the granting of
licenses, proof of identification, clearance, certificate, or other document usually required in the course
of employment, and; Provided, further, That the person is applying for such license, proof of
identification, clearance, certificate, or other document within one (1) year after graduating from high
school, college or any vocational or technical course, as evidenced according to Section 5 herein

SEC. 4. Proof of Graduation. - To avail of the waiver authorized under this Act, a citizen must
submit to the government agency or instrumentality concerned a copy of his or her diploma,
certification, document or communication for the academic, vocational or technical institution from
which he or she has 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'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 of the government agency to grant the waiver, Provided, that any person found to be
guilty of fabricating or falsifying any 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. 5. Exceptions. - 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 the granting of a Philippine passport

SEC. 6. Administrative Offenses. - No government agency or instrumentality shall issue unduly
restrictive regulations which will render nugatory the benefit of the waiver as prescribed under this Act
Such shall constitute an administrative offense punishable under the Administrative Code and other
pertinent laws.

SEC. 7. Inter-agency Monitoring Committee. - An inter-agency monitoring committee (IAMC)
is hereby created to be headed by the Executive Secretary as Chairman and the heads of the
departments as its members.

The IAMC's function is to monitor the compliance to this Act by the various government
agencies and instrumentalities within its scope. It may recommend to the proper authorities the filing

of an administrative complaint against any person who refuses to comply with the provisions of this
Act.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, ordinances, rules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
otherwise invalid the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in at least two
(2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,