Republic of the Philippines
HOL OF REPRESENTATIVES IS DATE:
Constitution Hills, Quezon City TIME

> Repgye” 258 a

NTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL, no4493

Introduced by Representative Harlin Neil J, Abayon III

EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to address this situation not by means of a dole-out, but by a reasonable
waiver of the fees collected by government of various clearances, licenses, and another
documents from fresh graduates wanting to work and to be productive members of society. It is a
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 investment in its emerging labor force, which would be in its best

interest to protect.

Hence, the approval of this initiative is earnestly sought

EIL J. ABAYON III

Representative
AANGAT TAYO Party-list

HARL



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

PENTH CONGRE:
First Regular Session

4493

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative HARLIN NEIL J. ABAYON IIL

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 |. Short Title. This act shall be known as “Fresh Graduates Pre-employment Assistance
Act.”

Section 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.

Section 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

Section 4, Proof of Graduation. To avail if the waiver authorized 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 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 primary facie evidence of the fact and
date of graduation and shall be sufficient for the government ageney 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

Documents) of the Revised Penal Code.

falsified

Section 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 nor with the granting of a Philippine passport

Section 6, Administrative Offense, No government agency or instrumentality shall be 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
Admi

strative Code and other pertinent laws

Section 7, The Inter-agency Monitoring Committee. An inter-agency monitoring committee
(IAMC) is hereby created to be headed by the Executive Secretary as its Chair, 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.

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thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

Section 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

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

Approved