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Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

1937

Introduced by Honorable MARK A. VILLAR

AN ACT

PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO FRESH GRADUATES BY WAIVING
GOVERNMENT FEES AND CHARGES COLLECTED IN CONNECTION
WITH DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is not surprising for a young person, fresh out of college and aspiring to have a
decent opportunity and livelihood, to find himself/herself at a loss on how to pay for the
prospective employer.

many pre-employment documents, clearances and applications required of him/her by a

The requirements include Police or NBI Clearance, identification card or number
from Social Security System, certification or community tax certificate from the local
government, tax identification number (or TIN) and other fees to be paid.

depleted because of the high costs of a college education

The situation is somewhat difficult and at times oppressive considering that the new
graduates are usually seeking employment precisely to obtain a regular income for the first
time and that by the time a student graduates, the family resources are often severely

This bill seeks to address this situation not by means of a dole-out, but by a
reasonable waiver of the fees collected by goverment for various clearances,
be productive members of society.

applications, licenses, and other documents from fresh graduates wanting to work and to



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 govemment, but as an investment in labor force,
Which is in its best interest fo protect and promote.

The urgent passage of this of this bill is highly recommended.

—

MARK A. VILLAR


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

9
HOUSE BILL NO. 1937

Introduced by Honorable MARK A. VILLAR

AN ACT
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO FRESH GRADUATES BY WAIVING
GOVERNMENT FEES AND CHARGES COLLECTED IN CONNECTION
WITH DOCUMENTARY 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 ‘Fresh Graduates Pre-
employment Assistance Act of 2016."

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. All goverment agencies and
instrumentalities, including govemment-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and
local government units (LGUs), shall not collect fees or charges from a fresh graduate
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; Provided further, that the person
is applying for such license, proof of identification, clearance, certificate, or other document
within one (1) year after graduation from high school, college or any vocational or technical
course; Provided, furthermore, that 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 or with granting of a Philippine passport by the
Department of Foreign Affairs


Section 4. Proof of Graduation. To avail of the waiver authorized by this Act, a
citizen must submit to the goverment agency or instrumentality concemed a copy of his
or her diploma, certification, document or communication from the academic, vocational or
technical institution from which he or she 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 for the govemment 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.

Section 5. Administrative Offense. No govemment 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 Administrative Code and other pertinent laws.

Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Commission on Higher
Education in consultation with the Civil Service Commission and the Department of interior
and Local Government shall issue the relevant rules and regulations to effectively
implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 7. Effectivity. This shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,