Acquiring all government documents required for a job will be now be free for fresh graduates and first time jobseekers as President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the “First Time Job Seekers Assistance Act” on April 10.
Republic Act 11261 or the “First Time Job Seekers Assistance Act” will exempt first time jobseekers from paying fees to various government agencies when they are applying for certificates or documents that are usually required in seeking employment.
The following are the certificates and documents that will be free of charge under the newly signed law:
1. Police clearance certificate
2. National Bureau of Investigation clearance
3. Barangay clearance
4. Medical certificate from a public hospital
5. Birth certificate
6. Marriage certificate
7. Transcript of academic records issued by state colleges and universities
8. Tax Identification Number (TIN)
9. Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) card
10. Other documentary requirements issued by the government that may be required by employers for job applicants
The price of each document ranges from P100 to P400.
First time jobseekers would only need yo to present a barangay certification that he or she is seeking employment for the first time to avail the said benefit.
However, applicants may only use the benefit once.
The law also does not exempt first time jobseekers from paying fees if they are applying for the following:
1. Professional licensure examination
2. Philippine passport
3. Authentication of documents from the Department of Foreign Affairs
4. Career Service Examination
5. Driver’s license
