Deputy Speaker and Las Pinas Rep. Camille Villar has expressed gratitude to her fellow legislators for supporting her bill that grants P5,000 in financial assistance to fresh graduates looking for employment.
Villar made the statement after the House committee on technical and higher education chaired by Baguio Rep. Mark Go approved Villar’s House Bill 6542.
The bill provides fresh graduates of Philippine tertiary education, universities, colleges and training institutions, of a one-time cash grant of P5,000 which they can utilize for job application, initial employment and settling-in.
“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.