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Republic of the Philippines
Quezon City
House of Representatives

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

6197

HOUSE BILL NO! ~~

Introduced by: HON. LORNA C. SILVERIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Every year, thousands of fresh graduates add up to the already alarming number of
jobseekers in the country. Joining them are early school dropouts who stopped schooling,
due to financial difficulties. Most of them are determined to have their first jobs here in the
country while the rest as overseas contract workers.

In the process, first time job applicants face serious challenges in the accomplishment of
various pre-employment documents which include clearances from the Police and the
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA), Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Bureau of Internal Revenue
(BIR), Community Tax Certificate, among others.

These fees collected by various government agencies for the issuance of the aforesaid
documents entail additional financial burden especially those belonging to lower and
middle-income families.

Hence, this bill seeks to unburden first time job applicants from these mandated pre-
employment documents which will surely lessen their economic woes, minimize the risk
of being unemployed in the long-term and maintain their motivation to actively pursue
employment

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

Page bateiegms


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

17® Congress
Second Regular Session

6197

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: HON. LORNA C. SILVERIO

AN ACT WAIVING GOVERNMENT FEES AND CHARGES ON THE ISSUANCE OF
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH FIRST TIME JOB APPLICANTS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
Assembled:

SEC 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as the “First-Time Job Applicants Assistance
Act”

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy ~ It is the policy of the State to protect the interest of young
people. Hence, the government has the duty to expand access to government services to enable
young people, especially first time job applicants, to find employment.

SEC 3. Waiver of Fees and Charges — 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 job applicant,
who can be a fresh graduate, an early school leaver, a dropout or a student taking a leave of
absence: 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 ususally
required in the course of employment locally or abroad: Provided further, That the application
for such license, proof of identification, clearance, certificate, or other documents is submitted
within (1) one year after graduating or taking a leave from high school, college or any technical
vocational course in any mode/s of learning.

SEC 4. Covered Documentary Requirements.- The fees and charges collected for the issuance
of the following documents which shall be used for solely for employment purposes of first time
job applicants shall be waived:

(a) Police Clearance Certificate

(b) National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
(c) Barangay Clearance

(d) Medical Certificate

(e) Birth and/or Marriage Certificate

(f) Tax Identification Number


(g) Community Tax Certificate

(h) Certification of Eligibility

(i) Authentication and Red Ribbon of Documents; and

(j) Other documentary requirements issued by the government that may be required by
employers.

SEC 5. Proof of Graduation or Leave of Absence — Before the waiver authorized under this
Act can be availed of, a certified true copy of the first time job applicant’s diploma, certification
of leave of absence (LOA) from the concerned academic, vocational or technical institution that
the said individual has successfully completed the course required or has earned academic units
must be submitted by the applicant.

The diploma or certification should clearly state the date of graduation or completion of the
degree or qualification earned and should be signed by the institution’s duly authorized
representative. Likewise, the leave of absence (LOA) should clearly state the units earned and
the reason/s for taking a leave of absence and should be signed by the institution’s duly
authorized representative and the school’s Guidance Counselor.

Such copy of the diploma, the certification, or the leave of absence submitted shall be sufficient
for the government agency concemed to grant the waiver: Provided, That any person found
guilty of fabricating or falsifying any proof of graduation or leave of absence as described in this,
section shall be liable under Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code

SEC 6. Role of the PESO - The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) shall assist first
time job applicants, especially those who are experiencing difficulty in securing their proof of
graduation or leave of absence.

SEC 7. Exceptions — The fees and charges to be waived shall not include those collected in
connection with an application to take the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC),
application for a Philippine passport from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), application
for a Career Service Examination, and application for a driver’s license from the Land
Transportation Office (LTO).

SEC 8. 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 9. Interagency Monitoring Committee ~ An interagency monitoring committee is hereby
created with the Executive Secretary as Chairperson, and the heads of the Civil Service
Commission, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Technical Education and Skills
Authority, the Department of Finance, the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher
Education and other departments whose participation the committee may deem necessary as its
members.

The committee shall monitor the compliance of the concerned government agencies and
instrumentalities, and 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 10. 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 11. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, orders, ordinances, rules, and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

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

Approved,