House okays bill giving jobseekers fee discount

CEBU, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill that will waive the fees for certain pre-employment requirements for indigent jobseekers.

House Bill 8008 or the proposed “Kabalikan sa Hanapbuhay Act” shall also provide 20 percent discount on certain documents required of those applying for work.

Speaker Martin Romualdez said the “first big hurdle” for indigent job seekers is the payment of fees

for their employment requirements.”

“If the government cannot aid them in hurdling the first obstacle to gainful employment, then I see a failure in public service,” he added.

The measure, which got 270 votes, shall waive the fees for certain requirements such as tax identification number from the Bureau of Internal Revenue; transcript of records, transfer credentials, authenticated copy of diploma, and certificate of good moral character from the state universities and colleges, and local universities and colleges of the jobseeker.

On the other hand, a 20 percent cut shall be imposed on documentary requirements such as barangay clearance, NBI clearance, police clearance, medical certificate from any government hospital, and marriage and birth certificates from the Philippine Statistics Authority, among others.

The bill stated that indigent jobseeker may avail of the privileges of waived or discounted fees only once every six months from each government agency.

It defines an indigent jobseeker as “a person who is seeking gainful employment and has no visible means of income or whose income falls below the official poverty threshold, as identified by the National Economic and Development Authority and/or cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing and other essential amenities of life.”

An indigent jobseeker whose household is enrolled under the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps),” shall be automatically considered an “indigent” and eligible to avail of the privileges mandated. — (FREEMAN)