Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
INTRODUCED BY LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 4 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11261, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE "FIRST TIME JOBSEEKERS ASSISTANCE ACT", THEREBY 
EXTENDING THE WAIVER OF FEES AND CHARGES TO JOBSEEKERS WHO 
HAVE LOST THEIR EMPLOYMENT DURING THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 
(COVID-19) PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY 
This bill recognizes the significant number of Filipinos who lost jobs in the midst of our 
battle against COVID-19. Among others, this measure proposes to extend the benefits 
of Republic Act No. 11261 or the "First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act" to the 
pandemic-induced unemployed individuals.  
In particular, benefits given to first time job seekers on the waiver of fees and charges 
for government-issued pre-employment documents such as proofs of identification, 
clearances, and certifications will apply to jobseekers who have lost their employment 
as an effect of the pandemic. This entails that the loss of job by the jobseeker should 
be due to authorized causes only since the intention is to benefit those out of work 
because of poor business conditions.  
The extension of the benefits of RA 11261 will be part of our ongoing efforts to assist 
our fellow Filipinos get back on their feet. 
In view of foregoing considerations, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
May 24, 2021
6:30 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
INTRODUCED BY LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 4 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11261, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE "FIRST TIME JOBSEEKERS ASSISTANCE ACT", THEREBY 
EXTENDING THE WAIVER OF FEES AND CHARGES TO JOBSEEKERS WHO 
HAVE LOST THEIR EMPLOYMENT DURING THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 
(COVID-19) PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:  
Section 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 11261, or the "First Time Jobseekers 
Assistance Act" is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Section 3. Waiver of Fees and Charges. - Subject to exceptions provided 
in Section 8 of this Act, all government agencies and instrumentalities, 
including government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), 
local government units (LGUs), and  government hospitals shall not 
collect fees or charges from a first time jobseeker: Provided, That such 
fee or charge Is paid in connection with the application for and the 
granting of licenses, proofs of identification, clearances, certificates or 
other documents usually required in the course of employment locally or 
abroad: Provided, further. That the benefit provided under this Act shall 
only be availed of once.  
THE BENEFIT PROVIDED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL EXTEND 
TO JOBSEEKERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR EMPLOYMENT DURING 
THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) PUBLIC HEALTH 
EMERGENCY AS A RESULT OF, AUTHORIZED CAUSES SUCH AS 
INSTALLATION OF LABOR-SAVING DEVICES, REDUNDANCY, 
RETRENCHMENT, CLOSURE OR CESSATION OF BUSINESS 
OPERATIONS, OR DISEASE, AS SUBSTANTIATED BY A DULY 
ISSUED 
CERTIFICATE 
OF EMPLOYMENT 
OR 
NOTICE 
OF 
TERMINATION, OR IN THE ABSENCE THEREOF, A BARANGAY 
CERTIFICATION, WHICH SHALL BE ISSUED FREE OF CHARGE, 
STATING THE FACT OF THE JOBSEEKER'S UNEMPLOYMENT, THE 
CAUSE THEREOF, AND THAT HIS/HER PREVIOUS EMPLOYER 
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FAILED OR REFUSED TO ISSUE A CERTIFICATE OF EMPLOYMENT 
OR NOTICE OF TERMINATION.  
 
Section 2. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
Section 3. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act, or the application 
thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the 
remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby.  
 
Section 4. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.  
 
Approved,