A MEASURE authored by Deputy Speaker and Las Pinas Rep. Camille Villar seeking to grant P5,000 financial assistance to fresh graduates looking for employment has been approved at the committee level recently.
At the initial hearing last Monday, Feb. 20 on Villar’s House Bill 6542 or An Act Providing fresh graduates of Philippine tertiary education, universities, colleges and training institutions, of a one-time cash grant of ₱5,000 which they can utilize for job application, initial employment and settling-in, the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chaired by Baguio Rep. Mark Go moved to approve the bill.
“This is an assistance to graduates, an encouragement as they become part of the workforce which is very relevant at this time. They can also utilize the amount, small it may be, in commencing a micro business or a start-up enterprise,” Villar said.
Representatives from various state agencies who attended the hearing expressed no objection to the measure, and suggested only minor amendments to improve the bill.
Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, for her part, suggested to include a provision that the method to disperse the cash grant should be coursed through ATM.
A Commission on Higher Education official said there were some 345,000 graduates in both public and private higher educational institutions in the 2020-2021 school year.
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 concerned.
The proof of graduation 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.
Under the measure, 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.
“This is not a dole-out but should be viewed as an investment of the government to the youth, fully consistent with our Constitution, and the nation’s existing laws on social welfare,” Villar added.
