Duterte signs law waiving document fees for first-time jobseekers
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law that would waive government fees on documents needed by first-time jobseekers for their employment.
Duterte signed Republic Act 11261 or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act last April 10. A copy of the law was released Tuesday.
Under the law, government agencies and instrumentalities will not collect fees or charges from a first-time jobseeker provided that the fee is paid in connection for the application and the granting of documents usually required in the course of employment locally or abroad.
Covered by the law are the following government issued documents:
- Police clearance certificate
- National Bureau of Investigation clearance
- Barangay clearance
- Medical certificate from a public hospital
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Transcript of academic records issued by state colleges and universities
- Tax Identification Number
- Unified Multi-Purpose ID
- Other documentary requirements issued by the government that may be required by employers from job applicants
To avail of the benefits, a first-time jobseeker must present a barangay certificate stating that the individual is indeed a first-time applicant.
The waiver of fees shall not include those collected in connection with an application to take a professional licensure examination, application for a passport authentication and red ribbon documents from the Department of Foreign Affairs, application for a Career Service Examination and application for a driver’s license.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, Senate labor committee chair, said the signing of the measure is a timely graduation gift for fresh graduates.
“We warmly welcome the signing of our bill into law as this will financially aid our youth in finding employment,” he said.
Villanueva added the law is expected to benefit around 1.3 million first time jobseekers annually. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
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