Duterte signs First Time Job Seekers Assistance Act

Good news to our kuripot fresh graduates and other first-time jobseekers! President Rodrigo Duterte just signed a law exempting them from paying government-issued documents.

Republic Act 11261 or the First Time Job Seekers Assistance Act was signed by the President last April 10, 2019 with Senator Joel Villanueva as the principal author. Filipinos who will be applying for a job for the first time will no longer have to worry about getting their government-issued documents that employers usually ask to new hires. Among those covered by the newly-signed law are the following:

• police clearance
• National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance
• barangay clearance
• medical certificate from a public hospital
• birth and marriage certificates
• tax identification number (TIN)
• transcript of academic records (TOR) issued by state universities and colleges
• Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) card

The law will also cover other documentary requirements issued by the government that may be required by employers from job applicants.

But, how are they going to avail this? According to the law, first-time jobseekers need to secure a barangay clearance indicating that they are indeed qualified to avail of the free service. This will serve as proof to get the other government-issued documents. However, the exemption can only be availed once.

Good job, Philippines!

Source: GMA News