Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No,_2094

Introduced by Representative Ferdinand L. Hernandez

AN ACT ESTABLISHING JOB PLACEMENT OFFICES IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS
TO PROVIDE CAREER SERVICES TO THE YOUTH.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The introduction of the K-12 education system was meant to enhance the employability
of high school graduates, so that they may be more competitive in the workforce, even without
taking college or vocational courses.

There has been increasing concerns regarding the employment of senior high school
graduates, particularly with access to job opportunities. This bill seeks to assist these graduates
so that they may take advantage of their education, and be able to seek employment immediately
after graduation from high school.

Considering the rationale stated above, the approval of this Bill is eamestly sought



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2094

Introduced by Representative Ferdinand L. Hernandez

AN ACT ESTABLISHING JOB PLACEMENT OFFICES IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS
TO PROVIDE CAREER SERVICES TO THE YOUTH

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

Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Trabaho Centers in Schools
Act”

Section 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,

Section 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall
refer to:

(a) Career Advocacy Activities - 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 - annual career development tool that outlines the

intended outcomes and the strategic management of programs/services to collectively
achieve the end goals of the Trabaho Centers

(c) Labor Market Information (LMI) - any information concerning the size, composition,
functions, problems or opportunities of the labor market or any part thereof, including but
not limited to employment-related intentions or aspirations of the labor market clients

(d) National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) - system of assessing or evaluating
the potential or aptitude of each and every high school student to guide th e ir decisions

in pursuing further education or employment.

(©) Skills Registry System (SRS) - an existing system utilized by the Department of


Labor and Employment (DOLE) containing potential applicant and employment
information.

Section 4. Establishment of Trabaho Centers in Schools. — Job Placement Offices
(JPOs), hereinafter referred to as "Trabaho Centers," shall be established in all public high
schools.

Trabaho Centers shall work in coordination with the Provincial, City, or Municipal Public
Employment Service Offices (PESOs) and shall be supervised by Trabaho Center Coordinators
in Department of Education (DepEd) Division Offices, The Trabaho Center Coordinators shall
encourage partnerships among Educational Institutions (Els), Non-Government Organizations
(NGOs), Industry Associations and Members, and Local Government Units (LGUs) in the
establishment and management of the Trabaho Centers. In applicable areas, existing JPOs in
educational institutions shall continue to operate as Trabaho Centers subject to the provisions of
this Act. Schools shall explore new and innovative systems to carry out the provisions of this
Act, including partnering w ith th e private sector or NGOs fo r an online p latform . The
Trabaho Centers shall be responsible for preparing the youth in choosing career tracks fit for
their talents, skills and preferences and in matching these to the needs of the current and future
labor market.

Section 5. Trabaho Center Career Advocates. — All Trabaho Centers shall have at least
one (1) Trabaho Center Career Advocate with the following functions:

(a) Keep an up-to-date database of job vacancies from employers to facilitate the
exchange of labor market in formation between young job seekers and employers by
providing employment in formation 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;

(©) 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;

(c) 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 with in 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.

Section 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 tool for their
division, taking in to 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.

() 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.

Section 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 w here they are currently employed: Provided, That they undergo training programs
related to career advocacy. Career advocates employed shall hold a nonteaching 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.

Section 8. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical Vocational
Institutions (TVIs) — Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical Vocational
Institutions (TVIs) are encouraged to establish Trabaho Centers in their schools to prepare their
students in choosing career tracks fit for their talents, skills and preferences and in matching
these to the needs of the current and future labor market, in accordance with the provisions of
this Act.


Section 9. Information Dissemination. — The Philippine Information Agency, in
coordination with the DepEd, DOLE and the DILG, shall ensure proper and adequate
information dissemination of the contents and benefits of this Act to pertinent entities in all
provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays.

Section 10. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the DOLE, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the concerned
LGU, and such other relevant agencies, shall formulate and issue the necessary rules and
regulations for the implementation of this Act.

Section 12. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect.

Section 13. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules,
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Section 14. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect upon its approval

Approved,