Perks for first time jobseekers

Perks for first time jobseekers "My sister recently graduated from college. Since our parents’ income is greatly affected by the recent events brought about by the pandemic, my sister could not start processing her job-hunting requirements. My friend told me that her brother did not pay for some of the certificates he applied for because those are free for first-time job seekers. Is this true? Please advise me, so I can also inform my sister and this will greatly help our family.Mario Dear Mario,Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 11261, more commonly known as the “First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act,” first-time jobseekers are given the opportunity to secure certificates or other documents needed in applying for work, save for certain exceptions, free of charge. However, this benefit may only be availed of once. RA 11261 provides: “Section 3. Waiver of Fees and Charges. — Subject to exceptions provided in Section 8 of this Act, all government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and -controlled corporations, local government units and government hospitals shall not collect fees or charges from a first time jobseeker: Provided, That such fee or charge is paid in connection with the application for and the granting of licenses, proofs of identification, clearances, certificates or other documents usually required in the course of employment locally or abroad: Provided, further, That the benefit provided under this Act shall only be availed of once.x x x “Section 8. Exceptions. — The waiver of fees and charges provided under this Act shall not include those collected in connection with an application to take a professional licensure examination conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission, application for a Philippine passport authentication and red ribbon of documents from the Department of Foreign Affairs, application for a Career Service Examination with the Civil Service Commission, and application for a driver’s license from the Land Transportation Office.”In order to avail of said benefit, the applicant must present a barangay certification stating that he/she is a first-time jobseeker. (Section 5, Id.) Among the documents that may be secured free of charge are the following: “(a) Police clearance certificate (b) National Bureau of Investigation clearance (c) Barangay clearance (d) Medical certificate from a public hospital, provided that fees and charges collected for laboratory tests and other medical procedures required for the grant of a medical certificate shall not be free of charge (e) Birth Certificate (f) Marriage Certificate (g) Transcript of academic records issued by state colleges and universities (h) Tax Identification Number (i) Unified Multi-Purpose ID card and (j) Other documentary requirements issued by the government that may be required by employers from job applicants.” (Section 4, Id.)We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/