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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

472

1 House Bill No. __

Introduced by AKBAYAN Party-List Representatives
Hon. Kaka Bag-ao and Hon. Walden Betlo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is not rare that a young person, fresh out of college and desirous of a decent means
of livelihood, finds himself at a loss on how to pay for the many clearances and
documents required of him by a prospective employer. With requirements such as the
NBI clearance, SSS ID, certifications from the local government, and other fees to be
paid, the situation is somewhat illogical and even oppressive, considering that these
fresh 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
already severely depleted because of the high costs of a tertiary education.

This bill seeks to address this situation not by means of a dole-out, but by a reasonable
waiver of the fees collected by government for various clearances, licenses, and other
documents from fresh graduates wanting to work and to be productive members of
society. 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 government, but as an investment in its
emerging labor force, which would be in its best interest to protect.

For these reasons, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Hon. WALDEN BELLO
Representative, Akbayan Party-list


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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

472

House Bill No.

Introduced by AKBAYAN Party-List Representatives
Hon. Kaka Bag-ao and Hon. Walden Bello

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

6e 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 2010."

Section 2. Dectaration 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. 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.

Section 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 from 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, docurnent, or communication submitted, even if
not an original or certified true copy, shall serve as prima facie evidence of the fact and
date of graduation and shall be sufficient for the government agency to grant the
waiver; provided, that any person found to be guilty of fabricating or falsifying any proof



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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, Exceptions. The fees and charges to be waived shall not include those
collected in connection with the granting of a professional license, including the taking
of a professional licensure examination, by the Professional Regulation Commission nor
with the granting of a Philippine passport.

Section 7, Administrative Offense. No government agency or instrumentality shall
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 8. The Inter-agency Monitoring Committee. An inter-agency monitoring
committee (IAMC) is hereby created, to be headed by the Executive Secretary as its
Chair, and the heads of the departments as its members.

The IAMC’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.

Section 9. Repealing clause. All laws, decrees, orders, ordinances, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Section 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.

Section 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,