A LAWMAKER urged Congress to support a measure that seeks to help senior high school graduates find jobs faster and build stronger connections between schools and employers.
“House Bill No. 8750 will give our youth a clearer path from the classroom to decent and productive work,” said Rep. Nathaniel “Atty. Nat” M. Oducado of the 1Tahanan Party-list.
House Bill No. 8750, or the proposed “Trabaho Center in Schools Act,” seeks to establish Trabaho Centers or Job Placement Offices in all public high schools to provide career guidance, job-matching, employment facilitation, skills training, and labor market information for students and graduates.
“Our schools should not only prepare students to graduate but also prepare them to succeed in the real world,” Oducado said.
Under the bill, Trabaho Centers will coordinate with Public Employment Service Offices, local government units, industry partners, non-government organizations, and employers to connect students with job opportunities and career pathways suited to their skills and interests.
The measure seeks to address the persistent problem of youth unemployment and underemployment among young Filipinos entering the labor force.
According to data cited in the bill’s explanatory note, the youth unemployment rate in the Philippines for those aged 15 to 24 reached 6.59% in 2024, while underemployment among senior high school graduates stood at 15.5%.
The explanatory note also cited studies from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies showing that senior high school graduates often struggle to secure quality jobs because many employers still prefer college degree holders for entry-level positions.
“Too many young Filipinos finish school without clear guidance on where to go next, and many are left unemployed, underemployed, or trapped in jobs that do not match their potential,” Oducado said.
The bill provides that every Trabaho Center shall have at least one Career Advocate responsible for maintaining job databases, organizing career enhancement seminars, conducting career coaching, facilitating employer linkages, and helping students understand the results of the National Career Assessment Examination.
“By connecting students directly with industries and employers, we can help bridge the gap between education and employment,” Oducado said.
The measure also mandates DepEd Division Offices to appoint Trabaho Center Coordinators who will oversee implementation, develop localized career programs, coordinate with local industries, and improve labor market information systems for students and schools.
“House Bill No. 8750 is an investment in the future of our youth and in the long-term strength of the Philippine workforce,” Oducado said.
The bill further encourages higher education institutions and technical-vocational schools to establish similar Trabaho Centers to strengthen career preparation and employment facilitation programs nationwide.
“We urge our fellow lawmakers to support this measure so that every Filipino student will have better opportunities to find meaningful work and contribute to national development,” Oducado said.
The explanatory note cited data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, and labor market reports showing continuing challenges faced by senior high school graduates seeking stable employment.
