DOLE: 200,000 first time jobseekers availed of free documentary requirements assistance

Around 200,000 first time job hunters have availed of the government’s program for free pre-employment documentary requirements, an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

In the latest episode of The Mangahas Interviews, DOLE Bureau of Local Employment Director Patrick Patriwirawan Jr. said the agency is implementing the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, which was passed into law in 2018.

"Libre po ang pre-employment requirements natin tulad ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearance and any other employment documentary requirements na hihingin," Patriwirawan said.

(Pre-employment requirements such as NBI clearance and any other employment documentary requirements are free.)

The Republic Act No. 11261 or First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act waives fees and charges for first time jobseekers in securing licenses, proofs of identification, clearances, and any other documents required for employment.

"Mino-monitor po natin ‘yan. Sa data natin Meron na tayong 200,000 first time jobseekers na nabigyan ng tulong sa programa pong ito," Patriwirawan said.

(We are monitoring this. Based on our data, there are 200,000 first time jobseekers who were given assistance under this program.)

To avail of the free documentary requirement assistance, the DOLE official said a first time jobseeker must first secure and present a certificate from his or her barangay stating that they are a first time jobseeker.

Patriwirawan said a first time jobseeker could be a senior high school graduate (K-12 program graduate) or a college graduate.

Enhancing employability

On enhancing the employability of K-12 graduates, the DOLE official said the agency has career development support and vocational and employment counseling programs through its Public Employment Services Office (PESO).

"Patuloy nating susuriin ang employability ng senior high school graduates sa pamamagitan ng continuing partnership sa ating research partners," he said.

(Looking at the employability of senior high school graduates is continuing through partnerships with our research partners.)

"Pinagaaralan kung ano ‘yung mga factors sa side ng jobseekers at sa side employers, especially for those na nasa K-12 or senior high school graduates kung ano ‘yung considerations na kakailanganin o titignan upang sila ay ma-hire," he added.

(Factors are being looked into on the side of jobseekers and on the side of employers, especially for K-12 or senior high school graduates, on what are the considerations for them to be hired.)

Patriwirawan said the government is also giving access to information to jobseekers on recent career opportunities through the philjobnet.gov.ph and local PESO offices. —Ted Cordero/ VAL, GMA Integrated News