Preemployment payment for fresh grads seen hurdling House in Jan

THE House of Representatives is now aiming for the final approval of a measure exempting new graduates from paying government documentary fees and charges for employment requirements.

House Bill 172, or the proposed act waiving government fees and charges on the issuance of documents required in connection with first-time applicants, has already been approved on second reading last week. The bill is expected to be approved on third and final reading when session resumes in January 2019.

The measure seeks to provide assistance to new graduates by exempting them from paying government fees and charges for employment requirements.

It said all government agencies and instrumentalities, including governmentowned and -controlled corporations and local government units, shall not collect fees or charges from new graduates in relation to documentary requirements for employment.

The bill also mandates the creation of an interagency monitoring committee to be chaired by the executive secretary and composed of the heads of the Civil Service Commission, Departments of Labor and Employment, Finance, Education and the Commission on Higher Education to monitor the compliance with the provisions of the measure.

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Estrellita B. Suansing of Nueva Ecija, one of the principal authors of the bill, said the measure intends to not only provide relief but also to show the state’s commitment to promote the interest of the youth.

Suansing said the waiver of these fees must be taken not as a loss of revenue for the government by as an investment in the labor force.

She added the proposal seeks to address to provide a reasonable waiver of the fees collected by the government for various clearances, applications, licenses and other documents from fresh graduates intending to work and become productive members of society.

“Here is a young person, fresh out of college, with dreams and aspirations to have a decent opportunity and livelihood, then finding out that in order for him to reach these dreams and aspirations, he has to shell out money to pay for the many preemployment documents, clearances and applications required by a prospective employer. Such requirements usually include police and/or NBI clearance, identification number and card from the Social Security System, certification or community tax certificate from the local government, tax identification number and other fees to be paid, excluding transportation fare in getting these document,” she added.

“The situation is difficult for the fresh graduate, and at times oppressive, considering that these new graduates seeks employment precisely to obtain a regular income. The family resources are often depleted by the time of graduation because of the high costs of college education,” Suansing added.