FOR 20-year-old Jun Estomo, spending P2,000 to pay for fees for a job application is already a heavy burden, especially that it is his first time to apply and he is cash-strapped.
Estomo, who stopped going to school since his first year in college, remains hopeful new graduates could easily find jobs now that President Rodrigo Duterte has waived the fees and charges on government documents sought by first-time jobseekers.
“It’s really a big help for first-time jobseekers because we have so many things in mind to consider like the expenses for the requirements and even during the process of getting it,” he told SunStar Cebu.
In Cebu City, the cost of obtaining a police clearance certificate and ID is at P260, National Bureau of Investigation clearance at P130 and barangay clearance at P80. Civil registry documents obtained from the Philippine Statistics Authority like birth certificate and marriage certificate costs P155 each.
Moreover, a copy of the transcript of academic records issued by state and college universities cost at least P400. The Tax Identification Number (TIN) and the Unified Multi-Purpose identification (Umid) cards are both free of charge if you’re getting them for the first time.
“The condition of jobseekers these days is really difficult because most of them are not financially able. Some even need to borrow money and the worst thing is, they still won’t get hired,” he said.
Free of charge
Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) 11261 or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act on April 10.
“It is the policy of the state to promote full employment and equality of gainful work and opportunities for its citizens,” the law said.
“As such, the State shall expand accessibility to government services and provide incentives to improve a first-time jobseeker’s access to employment,” it added.
Under RA 11261, government agencies are barred from collecting fees or charges from a first-time jobseeker, provided that the fee is in connection with the application for certificates and documents required in seeking employment.
Documents that will be free of charge include police clearance certificate; National Bureau of Investigation clearance; barangay clearance; medical certificate from a public hospital; birth certificate; marriage certificate; transcript of academic records issued by state and college universities; TIN; and Umid cards.
It also covers other documentary requirements issued by the government that may be required by employers from job applicants.
The waiver of fees and charges, however, does not apply to fees collected in connection with an applicant taking a professional licensure examination, application for a Philippine passport; authentication of documents from the Department of Foreign Affairs; application for a Career Service Examination; and application for a driver’s license.
The law stresses that first-time jobseekers may avail themselves of the benefit just once.
First-time jobseekers availing themselves of the benefits need to present a barangay certificate stating that he or she is seeking employment for the first time. (Ruth Abbey Gita of SunStar Philippines, JOB)