Do you remember the first time you looked for a job here in the Philippines? Well, to tell you my experience, it was filled with a lot of applications and a lot of spending. Truth be told, even if it’s your first job, companies will ask for many things like the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance, valid I.Ds, and so on.
Good news for first time job seekers because our dear President Rodrigo Duterte was happy to have approved and signed into law the act that will waive the fees from different government agencies; if the people applying are first time job seekers.
Read: What Countries Have the Six-Month Passport Rule?
It is the Republic Act (R.A.) 11261 or more commonly known as the “First Time Job Seekers Assistance Act,” which was signed into law by our dearest President last 10th of April, 2019.
What does this law provision?
Magandang balita sa first-time job seekers! Sa ilalim ng batas na ito, libre na para sa unang beses pa lang na maghahanap ng trabaho ang gastusin sa pagkuha ng dokumento.
Narito ang iba pang mga detalye: https://t.co/Gl2HmuYYAi pic.twitter.com/oqHrEFl9dp
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) May 7, 2019
Older job seekers have an idea or two about this. In fact, when they switch from one job to another, they already know what to prepare in order for them not to be hassled about it anymore.
First time job seekers, on the other hand, would be in a treat because under this measure, government agencies will be prohibited to collect any type of fees or charges from people who are just first time workers.
If the fee that they are asking for is in accordance with the certificates or documents of application, that would be the case where the fees are going to be for free. The measure also made emphasis on the fact that this benefit can only be availed once.
Which documents or applications will be free of charge under this new measure?
So, first time job seekers, make sure that you are aware of this so that you won’t get taken advantage of by people who can. The following documents or applications will be free for first time job seekers:
- PSA-certified (previously NSO) Birth certificate;
- National Bureau of Investigation Clearance (NBI Clearance)
- Marriage Certificate;
- Medical Certificate (only if it’s from a public hospital);
- Barangay Clearance;
- Transcript of Academic Records (ToR) which are issued by state colleges and state universities;
- Unified Multi-Purpose ID card (UMID Card);
- Police Clearance Certificate;
- Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN); and
- All other documentary requirements issued by government agencies that employers require from job applicants.
How much are these documents if you apply for it?
For first time workers, you may not have the slightest idea on how much you will be saving because of this new measure. To supply that knowledge to you, these documents vary from the cheapest which is P100.00 up to P550.00.
Read: Where can You Complain About a Specific Business?
NOTE: Only first time job seekers are exempted or are included in this new provision. For instance, you have been working for two (2) years but you still don’t have the UMID card, this new provision does not apply to you.
How can a person prove that it’s his or her first time looking for a job?
Of course, if it’s a person’s first time looking for a job, they would need some sort of proof in order for them to give government agencies. So, this proof would be a barangay certification that he or she is looking to land a job for the first time.
This barangay certification is the only type of proof that these agencies would need to prove that the individual is seeking employment the first time.
What types of application does this provision not cover?
So long as the application is asked by a company specifically, it’s part of the provision. However, if the fees that government agencies will be collecting is in connection to an application like the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA’s) passport application, the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO’s) driver’s license, application to take a professional licensure examination, or application for a Career Service Examination (CSE).
Read: Notice to the Public of the PSA About the National ID Registration
It would only cover the generality of identification that companies would be asking for—so if you think that you can get away in getting a passport, a driver’s license, and such, you won’t.
What do you think about this new provision? Would this be big help to people who are seeking employment the first time? Would this be beneficial in their application processes?
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