Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES TO THE YOUTH THROUGH THE 
ESTABLISHMENT OF JOB PLACEMENT OFFICES IN PUBLIC HIGHSCHOOLS, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Finding employment poses a big issue for the youth. According to the Congressional 
Policy and Budget Research Department, unemployment among the youth is generally more 
than twice the national unemployment rate.1 On average, it was found that the youth are nearly 
four times as likely to be unemployed than adults.2 Some of the factors cited that contributes 
to this problem are “poor employer perception towards the youth; lack of entry-level jobs; 
inefficient information systems; skills mismatch; and weak access to credit.”3 
Achievement of full and productive employment and decent work for the youth is one 
of the sub-goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of promoting sustained, 
inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work 
for all.4 Although considerable gains are being seen, the challenges faced by young job 
seekers remain. 
In view of the foregoing, this proposed bill seeks to tackle the lack of entry-level jobs, 
skills mismatch, and inefficient information systems that prevent the youth from accessing job 
opportunities they sorely need by establishing job placement centers in public high schools.  
Considering this, the passage of this proposed bill is earnestly sought. 
1 Exploring Interventions to Reduce Youth Unemployment in the Philippines.  Congressional Policy 
and Budget Research Deparment (2022). 
https://cpbrd.congress.gov.ph/images/PDF%20Attachments/CPBRD%20Notes/CN2022-
02_Exploring_Interventions_to_Reduce_Youth_Unemployment_in_the_Philippines.pdf 
2 Ibid. 
3 Ibid. 
4 Ibid. 
October 7, 2022
4:44 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES TO THE YOUTH THROUGH THE 
ESTABLISHMENT OF JOB PLACEMENT CENTERS IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF 
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 “Youth Job Placement Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby the declared policy of the State to 
enable the youth to fulfill their essential role in nation-building by ensuring they gain equal 
access to opportunities and reach their full potential. Towards this end, the State shall enact 
measures to ensure that the youth is given access to employment opportunities and meet their 
societal obligations to become productive members of society. 
SECTION 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 are not limited to career assessment 
and coaching, training, and job matching. 
(b) Career Development Plan refer to an annual career development tool that outlines
the intended outcomes and the strategic management of programs/services to collectively 
achieve the end goals of the Youth Job Placement Centers. 
(c) Labor Market Information (LMI) refers to any information concerning the size,
composition, functions, problems, or opportunities of the labor market or any part thereof. 
(d) National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) refers to a system of assessing
or evaluating the potential or aptitude of each high school student to guide their decisions in 
pursuing further education or future employment opportunities. 
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(e) Skills Registry System (SRS) refers to an existing system utilized by the 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) containing potential applicant and employment 
information.  
 
SECTION 4. Establishment of Youth Job Placement Centers in Schools. – Job 
Placement Centers (JPCs), hereinafter referred to as “Youth Job Placement Centers” shall be 
established in all public high schools.  
 
The Centers shall work in coordination with the Provincial, City or Municipal Public 
Employment Service Offices (PESOs) and shall be supervised by Center Coordinators in 
Department of Education (DepEd) Division Offices. The Center Coordinators shall encourage 
partnership among Educational Institutions (EIs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), 
Industry Associations and Members, and Local Government Units (LGUs) in the establishment 
and management of the Centers.  
 
In applicable areas, existing JPCs in educational institutions shall continue to operate 
as Youth Job Placement 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 with 
the private sector or NGOs for an online platform. The 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. Youth Job Placement Center Career Advocates. – All Youth Job 
Placement Centers shall have at least one (1) Youth Job Placement 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 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 the 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 a guide in choosing their career tracks;  
(h) Prepare and submit to the Youth Job Placement 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 Youth Job Placement Center Coordinator.  
 
SECTION 6. Youth Job Placement Center in Division Offices. – Each DepEd 
Division Office shall appoint a Youth Job Placement 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 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 Youth Job Placement Center in Schools;  
(c) Convene Career Advocates from the different Youth Job Placement Center 
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 Youth Job Placement Center 
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 Youth Job 
Placement Center 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 Youth Job Placement 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.  
 
SECTION 8. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical Vocational 
Institutions (TVIs) – Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical Institutions (TVIS are 
encouraged to establish Youth Job Placement 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. Placements in Government Agencies. – In coordination with DOLE, 
Government Internship Program (GIP) applications shall be offered in Youth Job Placement 
Centers. The process for applying for the GIP shall also be provided in the Centers.  
 
SECTION 10. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to implement the provisions 
of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the DOLE. Thereafter, 
such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act.  
 
SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education, in coordination with the DOLE, the 
DILG, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), other government agencies 
and instrumentalities, in consultation with relevant non-government organizations shall 
formulate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.  


 
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. – If any if this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of other provisions hereof.  
 
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive order, and 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 fifteen (15) days from the date of 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.  
 
Approved,