POE WANTS GOV'T TO WAIVE PRE-EMPLOYMENT FEES FOR FRESH GRADS

Sen. Grace Poe sought the immediate approval of a measure exempting fresh graduates from fees on government documents required for employment, an initiative which she hoped would help their families to save on such expenses.

Poe has filed Senate Bill No. 343 or the proposed Fresh Graduates Pre-Employment Assistance Act that mandates all government agencies to refrain from collecting fees from new graduates who are finalizing their pre-employment documents such as NBI, police and barangay clearances, and proof of identification such as Postal ID, among others.

"Once this measure becomes a law, new graduates will be exempted from paying fees for their NBI clearance, police clearance, cedula and other documents required before they join the workforce," said Poe in a speech at the 17th Commencement Exercises of the University of Rizal System held at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Thursday, April 26.

Poe hoped that the Senate leadership would frontload the bill and hurdle approval before session adjourns.

Congress is currently on recess until May 14.

To be qualified for the waiver, the first time jobseeker must show his diploma, certification or any document proving his recent graduation from high school, college or vocational course.

Poe said it entails a lot of effort on the part of the students in completing such documentary requirements and expenses in securing those documents could reach thousands of pesos.

"We look to the next generation. Kayo, mga millennials, ang nagbibigay sa amin ng pag-asa. You have the strength and the capacity for innovation," Poe said.