Financial aid, exemptions for fresh grads sought

Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara. PRIB/ROMEO BUGANTE

Senator Sonny Angara on Wednesday pressed for the passage of a measure that would provide incentives and social benefits for fresh graduates while they are searching for work or starting a business.

“Our new graduates are required to secure government-issued documents in the course of their employment application. For some, these fees are added burden to the pressures of job search, and can sometimes hinder them from landing a job. Nais nating pagaanin ang kanilang gastusin para mas mapadali ang paghahanap nila ng trabaho (We want to help them in their expenses so they may find jobs more easily),” Angara said in a statement.

The senator has filed Senate Bill No. 313 or the Bill of Rights for New Graduates that seeks to exempt new graduates from all colleges and universities, and technical-vocational schools from fees paid for getting birth certificate, passport, tax identification number, and clearances from the barangay (villages) and the National Bureau of Investigation.

The bill also seeks to exempt new graduates, who will venture into businesses or self-employment, from paying fees in securing business or self-employment permits, and will be provided with financial and technical support.

Aside from exempting them from payment of travel tax and airport terminal fees, new graduates would also be able to continue to avail of the student discount on transportation fees within one year from graduation date once the measure is enacted into law.

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Angara pointed out that under the bill, new graduates would be made sponsored members of the Social Security System, PhilHealth and Pag-ibig, and would be exempted from paying monthly contributions for a period of one year from the date of graduation.

An incentive card, which is valid for one year from the date of graduation, will be issued to new graduates by the Public Employment Service Office in their respective city or municipality, so they could avail of all the privileges enumerated under the bill.

“Providing various incentives to new graduates would be the government’s way to recognize their efforts, perseverance and hard work in school. The Bill of Rights will serve as a reward for completing their studies,” the senator said.

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The proposed measure also seeks to exempt fresh graduates belonging to the top 10 percent of their college from taking the civil service eligibility exam should they opt to join the government sector.

“Through the Bill of Rights, we aim to raise the number of new grads who land a job in a year’s time by increasing their chances at finding suitable posts in the government or in a private firm, or helping them set up their business,” Angara said.

“We should provide our new graduates with opportunities for growth by creating policies that protect their welfare. By investing in our new graduates, we are effectively investing in their future and ultimately, in our country’s development and progress,” he further said. IDL