Fresh Graduates Php 5,000 One-time Cash Grant Act of 2026

§chate Office of the Breretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAR 10 P6:54 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1961 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT PROVIDING FRESH GRADUATES OF PHILIPPINE TERTIARY EDUCATION, UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS, OF A ONE-TIME CASH GRANT OF FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 5,000) EXPLANATORY NOTE According to the 2025 Labor Force Survey by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), as cited by the Commission of Higher Education (CHED), there is 2.6% increase in the number of unemployed college graduates from the December 2024 35.6% rate.! The problem is not just the lack of job opportunities but also the mismatch between the jobs available and skills of the fresh graduates. Many individuals who have completed tertiary education aspire to secure decent employment that provides adequate benefits for a stable and dignified living. However, as fresh graduates who often have limited financial resources, they are faced with various expenses associated with job applications. These include transportation costs, printing of résumés and other 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. While First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act already waives certain government fees for first-time job seekers, this proposed measure seeks to further support them by providing a one-time cash grant of P5,000. This assistance is intended to help fresh 1 Cariaso, B. (2025). Rising number of unemployed grads troubling. Philippine Star.

graduates cover the basic expenses related to their job search, allowing them to focus on developing their skills and preparing themselves to secure meaningful employment. Through this measure, the State not only acknowledges the determination of young Filipinos to join and contribute to the labor force, but also demonstrates its commitment to easing the financial burdens they face during the crucial transition from education to employment. In pursuit of empowering fresh graduates, the immediate passage of this legislation is earnestly sought. JV EJERCITO

Offiep of the ser crrin TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 26 MAR 10 P6:54 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1961 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT PROVIDING FRESH GRADUATES OF PHILIPPINE TERTIARY EDUCATION, UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS, OF A ONE-TIME CASH GRANT OF FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 5,000) Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the Fresh Graduates ₽ 5,000

2 One-Time Cash Grant Act of 2026.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect the interest

4 of the youth. It shall endeavor to provide them opportunities for development by 5 creating policies that improve access to employment. The State In this regard in 6 addition to the various waivers of payment under Republic Act No. 11261, shall extend a productivity cash grant in the amount of five thousand pesos (P5,000) which the Fresh Graduates can use for the initial expenses of his employment application and 9 job settling-In.

Sec. 3. Cash Grant to Fresh Graduates. - In addition to the privileges and waiver

11 of fees specified under Republic Act No. 11261 or the "First Time Job Seekers Assistance Act," all Fresh Filipino Graduates Philippine Tertiary Institution, Universities, Colleges and Training Institution shall receive the amount of five thousand pesos (P5,000) productivity cash grant which he/she can use for the initial expenses of his/her employment application and job settling-in.

Sec. 4. Proof of Graduation. - To avail of the cash grant authorized in this Act,

a citizen must submit to the government agency or instrumentality or local

1 government unit concerned a copy of his or her diploma, certification, document or 2 communication from the academic, vocational or technical institution from which he 3 or she has graduated, written or issued to the effect that such person has indeed 4 successfully completed the course required. The diploma, certification, document, or 5 communication should clearly state the date of graduation or completion and the 6 course completed or degree earned and should be signed by the institution's duly 7 authorized representative.

Sec. 5. The Creation of an Inter-Agency Monitoring Committee. - An Inter-

9 Agency Monitoring Committee (IAMC) is hereby created to be headed by the 10 Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education and In cooperation with the heads of the relevant departments as its members. The IAMC's function is to formulate the implementing rules and regulations that will supplement the implementation of this Act and to monitor the compliance to this Act by the various government agencies and instrumentalities within its scope. It may recommend to the proper authorities the filing of an administrative complaint against any person who refuses to comply with the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 6. Appropriations, - The fund needed to implement this Act shall be

coursed through the Commission on Higher Education, at such an amount that may be determined by Congress after consulting with different stakeholders including the student sectors and the academia.

Sec. 7. Repealing clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, ordinances, rules and

regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 8. Separability clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 9. Effectivity. -This shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in

at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,