First-time job hunters urged to avail of free pre-employment docs

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

HOPEFULS. Jobseekers scour work offer flyers during the “Trabaho Turismo Asenso” job fair at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Thursday (Sept. 19, 2024). The job fair will have its final day on Saturday (Sept. 21). (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded first-time jobseekers to avail of the free pre-employment documents for their applications.

The measure is pursuant to Republic Act 11261 or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, DOLE said in a social media post on Friday.

To avail of the benefit, a barangay certification must be secured, stating that the applicant is a first-time jobseeker and has been a resident for at least six months.

The certification will be presented to the concerned government agencies where the pre-employment documents will be obtained.

The applicant must then report back to the barangay.

The pre-employment documents include barangay certification and clearance for first time jobseekers, police clearance (local or national); National Bureau of Investigation clearance; medical certificate from public hospitals; birth and marriage certificates; transcript of records, certificate of graduation/completion and diploma from state colleges and universities, as well as local colleges and universities; tax identification number and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation identification cards; Civil Service certificate of eligibility; Department of Migrant Workers certificates; mayor’s clearance; Maritime Industry Authority certificates; and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority national certificates and certificates of competencies.

Excluded in the coverage are applications for a professional licensure exam, Philippine passport authentication and apostille, Career Service Examination and driver’s license; and laboratory tests and procedures needed to acquire a medical certificate.

“This is expected to reduce the financial burden of first-time jobseekers,” the DOLE said.

The July 2024 Labor Force Survey reported that youth unemployment (ages 15 to 24) accounted for 43 percent of total jobless individuals.

They are mostly those who graduated from college or senior high school and have just entered the labor force.