Villar wants gov’t fees for graduates waived

MANILA, Philippines - A bill seeking the waiving of various government fees for employment documents for new graduates was filed at the House of Representatives yesterday.

Las Piñas City Rep. Mark Villar filed House Bill 3196, the “Fresh Graduates Pre-employment Assistance Act,” to stop the collection of fees or other charges from new graduates to make it easier for them to apply for jobs.

“Even in this small way, we can help our fresh graduates, many of whom come from financially challenged families,” Villar said. “By giving them free access to jobs, their choices will also widen. They can apply to as many jobs as they wish, with no regard to charges or fees.”  

The bill aims to stop all government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations and local governments, from collecting fees or charges from a new graduate. “The job applicant should present a copy of his or her diploma, certification, document or communication from the academic, vocational or technical institution from which he or she graduated, before he or she can avail of the waiver of the fee or charge,” Villar said.

The waived fee or charge should be 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.

He or she must be applying for a job within one year after graduation from high school, college or any vocational or technical course.

Villar said the fees and charges to be waived shall not include those collected in connection with the granting of a professional licensure examination by the Professional Regulation Commission or a Philippine passport by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Any person found guilty of fabricating or falsifying any proof of graduation shall be liable under Article 172 (Falsification and Use of Falsified Documents) of the Revised Penal Code.