QuestionsQuestions (PHILHEALTH CIRCULAR NO. 25, S. 2010)
RA 11261 is the “First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act.” Its policy is to promote full employment and equality of gainful work by expanding accessibility to government services and providing incentives to improve first-time jobseekers’ access to employment.
Subject to exceptions, all government agencies and instrumentalities (including GOCCs, LGUs, and government hospitals) shall not collect fees or charges from a first time jobseeker for documents required in the application for employment, provided the fee is connected with the application for and granting of certain employment-related licenses, proofs of identification, clearances, certificates, or other documents usually required.
The benefit provided under RA 11261 shall only be availed of once by each first time jobseeker.
The waiver covers fees/charges when obtaining: (a) Police clearance certificate; (b) NBI clearance; (c) Barangay clearance; (d) Medical certificate from a public hospital (but lab tests/other medical procedures are not free); (e) Birth certificate; (f) Marriage certificate; (g) Transcript of academic records issued by state colleges and universities; (h) Tax Identification Number (TIN); (i) UMID card; and (j) Other government documentary requirements required by employers.
No. While the medical certificate’s fees/charges are waived, fees and charges collected for laboratory tests and other medical procedures required for the grant of the medical certificate are not free of charge.
A barangay certification stating that the applicant is a first time jobseeker.
Any person found guilty of fabrication or falsification shall be liable under the Revised Penal Code.
Agencies must maintain and update a roster of individuals issued documents under the Act, regularly submitted to the DICT, which compiles a database accessible to relevant agencies.
PESO (Public Employment Service Office) in provinces, cities, and municipalities assists first time jobseekers in securing required pre-employment documents from relevant government agencies.
The waiver does not include fees collected in connection with: (1) application to take a professional licensure exam by PRC; (2) application for Philippine passport authentication/red ribbon by DFA; (3) application for a Career Service Examination by CSC; and (4) application for a driver’s license by LTO.
No. Section 9 clarifies it is not implied authority for agencies to impose or collect charges and fees if no authority is already granted under their respective charters or relevant laws—i.e., the Act must be read with existing legal authority.
Beneficiaries of the Jobstart Program under RA 10869 and other laws granting similar exemptions for the enumerated documents/transactions are not qualified to avail of RA 11261 benefits.
Any ambiguity in interpretation shall be resolved in favor of the applicant.
No government agency may issue unduly restrictive regulations that would render the benefits nugatory. Such act constitutes an administrative offense punishable under the Administrative Code and other pertinent laws.
It monitors compliance with the Act. It is chaired by the Secretary of DOLE and includes heads of CSC, DICT, Department of Finance, Department of Education, CHED, National Youth Commission, TESDA, and other departments as may be necessary.
Fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.