SENATE BILL SEEKS P5,000 CASH AID FOR FRESH GRADUATES TO EASE JOB-HUNTING COSTS

With thousands of fresh graduates set to enter the workforce this graduation season, a bill seeking to grant fresh graduates of Philippine tertiary institutions a one-time P5,000 cash assistance to help ease job-hunting costs has been filed in the Senate.

The proposed legislation, Senate Bill No. 1961 or the “Fresh Graduates P5,000 One-time Cash Grant Act of 2026,” seeks to institutionalize a productivity cash grant for Filipino graduates of higher education and training institutions as they transition from education to employment.

The bill, authored by Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, was lodged last March and has been referred to the Senate Committees on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and Finance. It is expected to be tackled upon the resumption of session on May 4.

Based on the 2025 Labor Force Survey by the Department of Labor and Employment, as cited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the measure noted a 2.6 percent increase in the number of unemployed college graduates from the December 2024 rate of 35.6 percent.

“The problem is not just the lack of job opportunities but also the mismatch between the jobs available and the skills of fresh graduates. Many individuals who have completed tertiary education aspire to secure decent employment that provides adequate benefits for a stable and dignified living,” Ejercito said.

However, he pointed out that fresh graduates often face financial challenges during the job search process, including transportation expenses for interviews, printing of resumes and documents, and the preparation of appropriate work attire.

“Such expenses add to the financial burden and pressure experienced by young job seekers as they begin their transition into the workforce,” the senator added.

While Republic Act No. 11261, or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, already provides fee waivers for first-time job seekers, Ejercito explained that the proposed measure aims to further expand government support through a direct cash grant.

If enacted, graduates must present proof of completion, such as a diploma or certification issued by their educational instutution to avail the benefit. 

The measure also proposed the creation of an Inter-Agency Monitoring Committee to be led by CHED in coordination with relevant government agencies tasked with issuing implementing rules and regulations and ensuring proper implementation of the program.