MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued a reminder to first-time job seekers to take advantage of free pre-employment documents available under the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (Republic Act 11261).
According to Philippines News Agency, DOLE announced in a recent social media post that the initiative aims to alleviate the financial burdens faced by new entrants into the job market by providing essential documents at no cost. To qualify, applicants must obtain a barangay certification confirming their status as first-time job seekers and residency of at least six months.
The required documents, which can significantly reduce initial employment costs, include barangay certification and clearance, police clearance, National Bureau of Investigation clearance, and medical certificates from public hospitals. Other documents covered by the act are birth and marriage certificates, transcripts of records, certificates of graduation, diplomas from state and local colleges and universities, tax identification numbers, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation identification cards. Also included are Civil Service certificates of eligibility, Department of Migrant Workers certificates, mayor’s clearance, Maritime Industry Authority certificates, and certificates from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
However, the law does not cover documents for professional licensure exams, Philippine passport authentication and apostille, Career Service Examination, driver’s licenses, or laboratory tests required for medical certificates.
This legislative measure comes in response to the high rate of youth unemployment, which, as per the July 2024 Labor Force Survey, accounted for 43 percent of the total unemployed population in the Philippines. This demographic largely comprises recent college and senior high school graduates entering the labor force for the first time.
The DOLE emphasizes that the provision of these free documents is a crucial step towards supporting young individuals in their transition from education to employment, aiming to equip them with the necessary tools to successfully secure employment without the added stress of financial constraints.