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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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Quezon City, Metro Manila = pare 82 AUG us

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TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3124

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative JB BERNOS

AN ACT
PROMOTING LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND RETENTION OF FILIPINO
GRADUATES AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN THE PROVINCES THROUGH
COMMUNITY-BASED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, ENTERPRISE SUPPORT,
AND CAREER PATHWAYS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines continues to face the challenge of internal migration, where
graduates and young professionals leave their hometowns in search of employment
opportunities in urban centers. This trend has led to labor shortages in rural areas,
underutilization of local talent, and deepening regional inequality. As a result,
provincial economies are deprived of the innovation, energy, and potential
contributions of their homegrown youth.

The “Balik-Bayanihan sa Probinsya Act” seeks to address this imbalance by
ased
employment across the provinces. Rather than offering temporary incentives or

creating enabling environments for dignified, sustainable, and_place-

financial aid alone, this proposed legislation strengthens local ecosystems for work
and enterprise by aligning education, labor, and development policies.

This measure promotes four major goals: (1) retaining young talent in rural
and provincial areas through career development programs and job creation
strategies; (2) enabling the return of young professionals to their hometowns with
pathways for employment or entrepreneurship; (3) supporting local governments,
schools, and employers in building provincial talent pipelines; and (4)


institutionalizing cooperation among government agencies to mainstream these
efforts into ongoing mandates.

The bill leverages existing structures—such as Local Government Units,
Public Employment Service Offices, State Universities and Colleges, and Regional
Development Councils—without creating new bureaucracies. It calls for coordinated
action from agencies like DOLE, DTI, DICT, CHED, and TESDA to support local
career development, digital infrastructure, and industry partnerships.

With this Act, the State affirms its commitment to regional equity, inclusive
growth, and human capital retention. By transforming the way we invest in young
professionals across the country, this measure envisions a Philippines where
opportunity does not require migration, and success can be found closer to home.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3124

HOUSE BILL NO. ____

Introduced by Representative JB BERNOS

AN ACT
PROMOTING LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND RETENTION OF FILIPINO
GRADUATES AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN THE PROVINCES THROUGH
‘COMMUNITY-BASED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, ENTERPRISE SUPPORT,
AND CAREER PATHWAYS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “Balik-Bayanihan sa
Probinsya Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. The State affirms the importance of regional equity,
inclusive development, and human capital retention in strengthening the Philippine
economy. Recognizing the persistent migration of graduates and professionals to
urban centers, this Act seeks to create sustainable, skills-based employment
ecosystems in the provinces to encourage young Filipinos to stay, build careers, or

return home to serve their communities.
Sec. 3. Objectives. This Act aims to:{i

a. Promote professional opportunities and dignified work in rural and provincial

areasiiig

b. Encourage fresh graduates to remain in their hometowns through structured

career development and enterprise pathway:

c. Facilitate the return of young professionals from cities by building enabling

environments for employment and entrepreneurship; and


d. Foster collaboration between government, academe, industry, and civil society
for place-based economic development.

Sec. 4. Program Framework. The “Balik-Bayanihan Program” shall include the
following strategic components:

A. Provincial Talent Hubs - Each participating province shall establish or
designate a Provincial Talent Hub through its Local Government Unit (LGU)
or State University and College (SUC). These hubs shall:

a. Provide career coaching, job matching, and local labor market
information;

b. Facilitate continuing education and professional development through
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA), or digital learning;

¢. Offer co-working spaces and mentorship programs for freelancers,
startups, and returning professionals.

B. Local Career Pathways and Job Creation - LGUs, in partnership with regional
industries and educational institutions, shall:

a. Identify and promote career pathways in tourism, agriculture, digital
services, crafts, and local public service;

b. Integrate place-based intemships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job
training in senior high school and tertiary education;

c. Encourage alignment of curriculum with local labor demands.

C. Rural Employment Linkages - The Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE), in collaboration with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and
LGUs, shall establish a Rural Employment and Enterprise Partnership (REEP)
Program to link young workers with:

a. MSMEs and cooperatives;

b. Remote work and digital economy opportunities;

c. Tourism and heritage-based enterprises; and

d. Agribusiness, environmental restoration, and local manufacturing.

D. Return-to-Province Career Tracks - Local governments and national agencies
shall:

a. Maintain and publish priority hiring rosters for local government and
partner institutions;

b. Offer reintegration support services such as licensing facilitation,

remote work infrastructure, or enterprise incubation;


Work with Department of Information and Communications

‘Technology (DICT) to enable digital professionals to thrive in rural areas
via broadband support and shared tech facilities.

Sec. 5. Institutional Mechanisms. To ensure efficient implementation without the
need for new bureaucratic structures, the following existing institutions shall carry

out the mandates of this Act:

A. Local Government Units (LGUs)
a. Shall integrate local talent retention and employment strategies into
their Local Development Plans, Annual Investment Plans, and Tourism

and Enterprise Development Plans.

b. May designate a focal person or unit (e.g., the Public Employment
Service Office or PESO) to coordinate ail local activities under this Act,
in collaboration with the Provincial Governor and Mayor.

c. Shall partner with local chambers, cooperatives, and educational
institutions in identifying and supporting local career opportunities.

B. Public Employment Service Office (PESO)

a. Shall serve as the lead coordinating office at the
city/municipal/provincial level for job matching, local labor market
analysis, and implementation of return-to-province employment
facilitation.

b. Shall maintain a database of returning graduates and jobseekers, as
well as local employers and in-demand occupations.

C. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Higher Education Institutions
(HEIs) shall establish Graduate Engagement Programs to:

a. Promote employment opportunities in local communities through
research, extension services, or public-private partnerships.

b. Create provincial graduate directories, alumni matching, and career
guidance that promotes local options.

c. Support students in developing capstone projects, theses, or
enterprises aligned with provincial development goals.

D. Regional Development Councils (RDCs}

a. Shall incorporate “Balik-Bayanihan” objectives into their Regional
Development Plans and serve as a platform to align national and local
programs in workforce development, digital infrastructure, and micro-

, small-, and medium-scale enterprises (MSME) support.


b. Shall work with DTI, DOLE, DICT, CHED, TESDA, and other agencies
to ensure synergy of existing programs.
E. National Government Agencies - The following agencies shall mainstream this
Act into their ongoing mandates:
i, DOLE ~ oversee local job promotion strategies, labor market
analytics, and job referral networks;
ii, TESDA - provide skills retooling and certifications aligned with
provincial growth sectors;

iii. CHED ~ align scholarship and academic programs with place-
based employment pathway:

iv. DTI - assist in MSME development and access to markets;

v. DICT ~ ensure digital infrastructure and remote work hubs are
established in target areas;

vi, DILG ~ support LGU capacity-building for policy integration and
reporting.

Sec. 6. Role of Educational Institutions. SUCs and HEls shall establish Provincial
Graduate Engagement Programs, including:

a. Incentivized local research and extension projects;

b, Alumni mentorship and community service fellowships;

¢. Graduation-to-employment pipelines through partnerships with local
employers.

Sec. 7. Government Support Measures

a. LGUs shall integrate Local Talent Retention Plans into their
development and investment plans.

b. National government shall provide technical assistance, regulatory
support, and infrastructure funding—particularly for digital
connectivity, training facilities, and talent hubs.

Sec. 8. Monitoring and Evaluation. DOLE and Department of Economy, Planning,
and Development (DEPDEV) shall publish an Annual Local Employment and
Migration Report, tracking provincial workforce retention, graduate absorption rates,

and return-to-province transitions.


Sec. 9. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. Priority shall be given to
underserved provinces and those with high youth out-migration.

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules,
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Sec. 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,