a
[HeUst oF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines
me 04 JUL 2016

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

REGISTRATION UNIT

House Bill No. 852
‘SE, BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

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 16" Congress but not taken up dué;. to time
constraints. This bill is re-filed for the consideration of the 17" Congress.

Support for the enactment of this measure is eamestly requested.

Pe atascies

REP. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA



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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 852

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 céeating 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 goverment 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 Professiondl
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 AMC'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,