One-time subsidy for fresh graduates pushed
DEPUTY Speaker and Las Pinas Rep. Camille Villar has filed a measure that seeks to grant a one-time cash subsidy of P5,000 to fresh graduates in an effort to provide support as they look for employment.
House Bill (HB) No. 6542 or the proposed Fresh Graduates P5,000 One-Time Cash Grant Act prescribes a financial aid to all fresh Filipino graduates of Philippine tertiary institutions, colleges, universities, and training institutions which they can use for the initial expenses of their employment application and job settling-in.
“This bill seeks to compliment and help fresh graduates by giving them a one-time cash grant in the amount of P5,000 which they can use as productivity/earnest fund [for their] application for employment, transportation and settling-in amount, if they get a job soonest,” Villar said.
The House leader noted that a student, fresh out of graduation and desirous of a decent means of livelihood, “finds himself at a loss on how to fund for employment application prospects—the continuously increasing transportation fare and the difficulty of commuting, preparing a decent work wear, printing tons of biodata or curriculum vitae, and other expenses needed when one applies for a job.”
To avail of the cash aid, a copy of diploma or any valid proof of graduation issued by the educational institution shall be presented to the government agency or local government unit concerned. The diploma, certification, document, or communication should clearly state the date of graduation or completion and the course completed or degree earned, and should be signed by the institution’s duly authorized representative.
An interagency monitoring committee will be created to be headed by the chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd). The body will formulate the implementing rules and regulations and monitor compliance by the various state agencies and instrumentalities.
The appropriations needed to implement this bill, once enacted, shall be coursed thru CHEd, and such amount may be determined by Congress after consultations with different stakeholders.
“While some would label the grant as means of a dole-out, the higher purpose is actually investment in the emerging labor force which is for the best interest of the State. Similarly, it is an aegis of a caring government to provide relief and an expression of the principle of “Parens Patriae”—to show the State’s commitment to promote the highest interest of the Filipino youth,” added the lady lawmaker.
The bill has been referred to the House committee on higher and technical education.
