A LAWMAKER has filed a measure in the House of Representatives aimed at easing the financial burden on fresh graduates as they enter the workforce.

House Majority Floor Leader Sandro Marcos is pushing for House Bill No. 8701, or the Academic and Labor Pathways Assistance for Students (ALPAS) Act, which proposes to make academic records free for new graduates.

Under the bill, graduates will be entitled to obtain essential school documents at no cost within 12 months after completing their studies. These include transcripts of records, certificates of graduation, diplomas, and certified true copies—key requirements for most job applications.

Marcos noted that many college graduates continue to struggle in securing employment, with the cost of completing documentary requirements adding to their financial challenges.

If enacted, the measure will also require all public and private educational institutions to establish a digital academic records system. This aims to streamline the request and release of documents, enabling graduates to access their records more efficiently through online platforms.