The First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (Republic Act No. 11261), signed into law on April 10, 2019, by former President Rodrigo Duterte, is a significant legislative measure in the Philippines aimed at supporting first-time Pinoy job seekers.
The Act addresses the financial barriers associated with obtaining necessary pre-employment documents by waiving government fees and charges.
This legislation is designed to promote full employment, equal opportunities, and reduce the economic burden on new graduates and young professionals entering the workforce. By streamlining the job application process and providing financial relief, the Act encourages youth employment and supports the country’s overall economic growth.
Why Is This Important?
Human resources departments require several documents for job applications.
These documents often come with fees that can be a burden, especially for first-time job seekers and fresh graduates.
Here’s a list of common documents and their typical fees:
- Police Clearance Certificate: Php 100
- NBI Clearance: Php 130 – Php 155
- Barangay Clearance: Php 0 – Php 100
- Medical Certificate: Php 30 – Php 250
- Birth Certificate: Php 155 – Php 365
- Transcript of Academic Records: Php 100 – Php 450
These fees can total between Php 540 and Php 1,395.
The First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (RA 11261)
What Is It?
The First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act was signed into law on April 10, 2019, by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
This legislation aims to reduce unemployment by removing financial barriers for first-time job seekers.
It waives the fees for government-issued documents required for employment.
Who Benefits?
The Act primarily benefits first-time job seekers, including recent graduates and those entering the workforce for the first time.
About 1.3 million graduates each year can take advantage of this Act.
Benefits of the First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act
- Promoting Full Employment and Equal Opportunities
The Act demonstrates the Philippine government’s commitment to promoting full employment and equal job opportunities. By waiving fees for essential documents, it helps first-time job seekers enter the workforce without financial barriers.
- Reducing Financial Burden
The Act eliminates the costs of obtaining pre-employment documents, which can be a significant financial strain for job seekers. This includes waivers for police clearance, NBI clearance, medical certificates, birth certificates, and academic transcripts.
- Streamlining the Job Application Process
The One-Stop Shop system allows job seekers to obtain multiple pre-employment documents from a centralized location. This streamlines the application process, saving time and effort.
- Encouraging Youth Employment
By making it easier and cheaper to obtain necessary documents, the Act encourages young people to enter the labor market. This is especially important in a country with a large youth population and high youth unemployment rates.
- Enhancing Government Efficiency and Accountability
Government agencies are required to maintain and update a roster of all individuals who benefit from the Act. This data is compiled into a database by the DICT, improving government efficiency and accountability.
- Supporting Economic Growth
Facilitating the entry of more individuals into the workforce contributes to overall economic growth. Higher employment rates lead to increased productivity and a more robust economy.
- Legal and Social Impact
The Act reinforces equal access to employment opportunities, supporting social equity. It includes measures to prevent fraud and ascertain that only eligible individuals benefit from the program.
Key Provisions of RA 11261
- Waiver of Fees and Charges
All government agencies, including GOCCs, LGUs, and government hospitals, must waive fees for first-time job seekers for the following documents:
- Police clearance certificate
- NBI clearance
- Barangay clearance
- Medical certificate from a public hospital (excluding laboratory tests)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Transcript of academic records from state colleges and universities
- Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) card
- Other required government-issued documents
- Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the benefits, an applicant must:
- Be a Filipino citizen
- Be a first-time job seeker
- Be actively seeking employment
- Have been a resident of the barangay issuing the certification for at least six months
A barangay certification is needed to prove eligibility.
This certification is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
- One-Time Benefit
The waiver can only be availed once.
This means the benefits apply only to the first set of documents obtained.
- Exceptions
The Act does not cover fees for:
- Professional licensure examinations
- Philippine passport applications
- Document authentication by the Department of Foreign Affairs
- Career Service Examination
- Driver’s license applications
How to Avail the Benefits
Step 1: Obtain a Barangay Certification
Visit your barangay office and request a certification stating that you are a first-time job seeker.
Step 2: Visit the One-Stop Shop
Many provinces, cities, and municipalities have set up Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) as One-Stop Shops to assist first-time job seekers.
Step 3: Present Your Certification
Show your barangay certification and any other required documents at the One-Stop Shop.
Government representatives will help you process the necessary documents.
Implementation and Monitoring
Database Maintenance
Government agencies maintain and update a roster of individuals who have been issued documents under this Act.
This information is regularly submitted to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
The DICT compiles this data into a database accessible to all relevant agencies.
One-Stop Shop System
The One-Stop Shop system centralizes services, making it easier for first-time job seekers to obtain their documents.
Services include:
- NBI clearance
- PSA documents (e.g., birth certificates)
- SSS services
- Pag-IBIG Fund services
- PhilHealth services
Recent Updates
CSC Encourages Fresh Grads to Consider Government Roles
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) in the Philippines offers free Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to first-time job seekers, aligning with the First-time Jobseekers Assistance Act. CSC Chairman Karlo Nograles urges fresh graduates to explore government employment by providing essential pre-employment documents at no cost. This aims to ease financial burdens on job seekers and promote opportunities in public service. (PhilStar)
First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act: Free Pre-Employment Documents
The Republic Act No. 11261, also known as the “First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act,” waives fees for pre-employment documents issued by government agencies for Filipino citizens seeking employment for the first time. This program covers various documents, including barangay clearance, police clearance, and NBI clearance. First-time job seekers in Naga City can also avail of additional benefits like a mayor’s permit and a city health card. To avail the program, individuals must secure a barangay certification, visit Metro Naga PESO, fill out a pre-employment request form, and follow the referral process.
The First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act requires a specific Barangay Certification for individuals to avail themselves of free NBI Clearance. This aims to promote proper compliance with the act and facilitate the process for first-time job seekers. The post urges barangays to familiarize themselves with the proper certification format to provide accurate documentation. The Act aims to streamline the process for first-time job seekers seeking free NBI clearance.
The Republic Act No. 11261, also known as the “First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act,” waives fees for pre-employment documents issued by government agencies for Filipino citizens seeking employment for the first time. This program covers various documents, including barangay clearance, police clearance, and NBI clearance. First-time job seekers in Naga City can also avail of additional benefits like a mayor’s permit and a city health card. To avail the program, individuals must secure a barangay certification, visit Metro Naga PESO, fill out a pre-employment request form, and follow the referral process.
Video: Libreng pagkuha ng requirements para sa mga first-time job seeker, alamin! | Dapat Alam Mo!
This video highlights the process for first-time job seekers to obtain essential job requirements from government agencies free of charge. The video aims to inform individuals about the availability of these free services and guide them through the necessary steps. This aims to reduce financial burdens for individuals entering the workforce for the first time. By providing free pre-employment documents, the government seeks to encourage more Filipinos to apply for job opportunities.
Conclusion
The First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act is a significant step towards reducing the financial burden on first-time job seekers.
By waiving fees for essential documents, the Act helps fresh graduates and young professionals enter the workforce more smoothly.
This not only promotes full employment but also upholds equal opportunities for all Filipino citizens.
If you’re a first-time job seeker, take advantage of this Act to ease your job application process.