Law Summary
Declaration of Policy
- The State is committed to promoting full employment and equal access to gainful work opportunities for all citizens.
- The State will enhance the accessibility of government services and provide incentives to improve first-time jobseekers' access to employment.
Waiver of Fees and Charges
- All government agencies, GOCCs, LGUs, and government hospitals shall waive fees and charges for first-time jobseekers.
- This waiver applies to fees related to licenses, identification proofs, clearances, certificates, or other documents required for employment locally or abroad.
- The waiver can only be availed of once by a first-time jobseeker.
- Exceptions are provided under Section 8.
Covered Government Transactions
- No fees or charges shall be collected from first-time jobseekers for obtaining:
- Police clearance certificate
- National Bureau of Investigation clearance
- Barangay clearance
- Medical certificate from public hospitals (note: fees for lab tests and other medical procedures are not waived)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Academic transcripts from state colleges/universities
- Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) card
- Other government-issued documents required by employers
Proof of Eligibility
- First-time jobseekers must present a barangay certification confirming their status.
- Fabrication or falsification of this certification is punishable under the Revised Penal Code.
Database Management
- Concerned agencies to maintain and update a roster of beneficiaries.
- The roster is submitted to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
- DICT compiles a comprehensive database accessible to all relevant agencies.
One Stop Shop
- Public Employment Service Office (PESO) units across provinces, cities, and municipalities will assist first-time jobseekers in securing necessary pre-employment documents.
Exceptions
- Fee waivers do not apply to fees collected for:
- Professional licensure examinations (Professional Regulation Commission)
- Philippine passport authentication and red ribbon services (Department of Foreign Affairs)
- Career Service Examinations (Civil Service Commission)
- Driver’s license applications (Land Transportation Office)
Non-Authority to Charge Fees
- The Act does not grant new authority for government agencies to impose fees if not already authorized by law or agency charters.
Exclusion of Jobstart Program Applicants
- Beneficiaries of the Jobstart Program and other similar exemptions under existing laws shall not qualify for benefits under this Act.
Interpretation in Favor of the Applicant
- Ambiguities in interpretation shall favor the applicant.
- Government agencies shall not issue restrictive regulations that negate the benefits of this Act.
- Violation constitutes an administrative offense punishable under relevant laws.
Interagency Monitoring Committee
- A committee chaired by the Secretary of Labor and Employment is established.
- Members include heads of CSC, DICT, Department of Finance, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, National Youth Commission, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and others as deemed necessary.
- The committee monitors compliance and may recommend administrative complaints against non-compliant persons.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- The Secretary of Labor and Employment, in consultation with DICT and other agencies, shall issue implementing rules within sixty (60) days from the law’s effectivity.
Separability Clause
- If any provision is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of the law remains effective.
Repealing Clause
- All inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, regulations, or parts thereof are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.