Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1488

Introduced by Representative Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes G. Matibag

AN ACT ESTABLISHING JOB PLACEMENT OFFICES IN PUBLIC HIGH
SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CAREER SERVICES TO THE YOUTH

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The introduction of the K-12 education system was meant to enhance the
employability of high school graduates, so that they may be more competitive in the
workforce, even without taking college or vocational courses.

There has been increasing concerns regarding the employment of senior high school
graduates, particularly with access to job opportunities. This bill seeks to assist these
graduates so that they may take advantage of their education, and be able to seek employment
immediately after graduation from high school.

Considering the rationale stated above, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

MA. RENE ANN LOBRDES G. MATIBAG


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1488

Introduced by Representative Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes G. Matibag

AN ACT ESTABLISHING JOB PLACEMENT OFFICES IN PUBLIC HIGH
SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CAREER SERVICES TO THE YOUTH

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Trabaho Centers in Schools.
Act”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State to promote full
‘employment and equality of employment opportunities for all, and to afford full protection to
the youth entering the labor force. In line with the current reforms in the education sector, the
State recognizes the need to prepare the youth in choosing the career tracks that they intend to
pursue and to aid in matching senior high school students with career opportunities after
graduation.

Section 3. Defi
shall refer to:

jon of Terms. — For the purpose of this Act, the following terms

(a) Career Advocacy Activities - series of activities intended to prepare students for
productive career decisions that include but is not limited to career assessment and
coaching, trainings and job-matching.

(b) Career Development Plan - annual career development too! that outlines the

intended outcomes and the strategic management of programs/services to collectively

achieve the end goals of the Trabaho Centers.

(©) Labor Market Information (LMI) - any information concerning the size,

composition, functions, problems or opportunities of the labor market or any part

thereof, including but not limited to employment-related intentions or aspirations of

the labor market clients.

(d) National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) - system of assessing or
evaluating

the potential or aptitude of each and every high school student to guide th e ir
decisions

in pursuing further education or employment.

(©) Skills Registry System (SRS) - an existing system utilized by the Department of

Labor and Employment (DOLE) containing potential applicant and employment


information.

Section 4. Establishment of Trabaho Centers in Schools. — Job Placement Offices
(JPOs), hereinafter referred to as "Trabaho Centers," shall be established in all public high
schools.

Trabaho Centers shall work in coordination with the Provincial, City, or Municipal
Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) and shall be supervised by Trabaho Center
Coordinators in Department of Education (DepEd) Division Offices. The Trabaho Center
Coordinators shall encourage partnerships among Educational Institutions (Els), Non-
Government Organizations (NGOs), Industry Associations and Members, and Local
Government Units (LGUs) in the establishment and management of the Trabaho Centers. In
applicable areas, existing JPOs in educational institutions shall continue to operate as
Trabaho Centers subject to the provisions of this Act. Schools shall explore new and
innovative systems to carry out the provisions of this Act, including partnering with the
private sector or NGOs for an online platform . The Trabaho Centers shall be responsible for
preparing the youth in choosing career tracks fit for their talents, skills and preferences and in
matching these to the needs of the current and future labor market.

Section 5. Trabaho Center Career Advocates. — All Trabaho Centers shall have at
least one (1) Trabaho Center Career Advocate with the following functions:

(a) Keep an up-to-date database of job vacancies from employers to facilitate the
exchange of labor market in formation between young job seekers and employers by
providing employment in formation services specific to Senior High School, both for
local and overseas employment;

(b) Provide job linkages and networks to employers in coordination with the
provincial, city or municipal PESOs;

(©) Develop and administer testing and evaluation instruments for effective job
selection, training and coaching specific to young jobseekers currently enrolled in
educational institutions. Provided, That examinations are administered by qualified
professionals;

(d) Organize or coordinate career enhancement trainings or seminars for young job
seekers, as well as those who would like to pursue further education, livelihood or
self-employment programs;

(¢) Provide career advocacy and coaching, mass motivation and values development
activities integrated in career programs specifically designed for Enhanced Basic
Education Curriculum students;

(f) Connect and partner with concemed NGOs to expand opportunities in improving
the

quality of employment facilitation programs offered in their school;

(g) Lead the teachers with in their school in the administration of the annual National
Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) and assist the students in understanding
how to use their test results as guide in choosing their career tracks;

(h) Prepare and submit to the Trabaho Center Coordinator a school-specific annual
career development plan and budget, including other regular funding sources and
budgetary support; and

(i) Prepare and submit a quarterly progress report on students assisted and coached to
the Trabaho Center Coordinator.


Section 6. Trabaho Center in Division Offices. - Each DepEd Division Office shall
appoint a Trabaho Center Coordinator who shall:

(a) Coordinate with the LGU, PESO, the Local School Board (LSB), and Parent-
Teacher

Association (PTA) in the creation of the annual key career planning tool for their

division, taking in to consideration track preferences of students in their respective

divisions and the industry most relevant to their area;

(6) Monitor the planning, implementation and evaluation of career facilitation
programs

and materials of Trabaho Centers in Schools;

(©) Convene Career Advocates from the different Trabaho Centers under their
respective

divisions for the creation of modules or guides contextualized to cover their local

industry;

(d) Share best practices among divisions and other Trabaho Centers in the country in a

modality that would be most efficient to the institution;

(e) Train Career Advocates in the administration of testing and evaluation instruments

for effective job selection, counseling, career guidance, mass motivation and values

development activities to be implemented for the career programs.

(f) Utilize the DOLE s Skills Registry System (SRS) to manage the records of

transactions in relation to career facilitation and relay information to Trabaho Centers

in Schools;

(g) Consolidate necessary information technology structures and systems to improve

the collection, processing, analysis, report development and dissemination of youth

career preferences and existing labor market information ; and

(h) Provide linkages to training providers needed by the schools in relation to local

industry.

Section 7. Qualifications of Trabaho Center Career Advocates. — Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 27 of Republic Act No. 9258, otherwise known as the "Guidance
and

Counseling Act of 2004", career and employment advocates, who are not registered and
licensed guidance counselors, shall be allowed to conduct career advocacy activities for
students of the school w here they are currently employed: Provided, That they undergo
training programs related to career advocacy. Career advocates employed shall hold a
nonteaching position and shall focus on activities for youth employability programs in
coordination with the DOLE and other relevant agencies and partner institutions, both public
and private.

Section 8, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical Vocational
Institutions (TVIs) — Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical Vocational
Institutions (TVIs) are encouraged to establish Trabaho Centers in their schools to prepare
their students in choosing career tracks fit for their talents, skills and preferences and in
matching these to the needs of the current and future labor market, in accordance with the
provisions of this Act.

Section 9. Information Dissemination. — The Philippine Information Agency, in
coordination with the DepEd, DOLE and the DILG, shall ensure proper and adequate
information dissemination of the contents and benefits of this Act to pertinent entities in all



provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays.

Section 10. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the DOLE, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the concerned
LGU, and such other relevant agencies, shall formulate and issue the necessary rules and
regulations for the implementation of this Act.

Section 12. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any part or provision of this
Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected
thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
rules, and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,