SENATOR Grace Poe on Tuesday urged graduates to avail of the benefits provided by Republic Act 11261 or the First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act.

The law provides support to those seeking employment for the first time.

Speaking at the 78th commencement exercises of the University of Batangas in Batangas City, Poe said that the high cost of education mired many families in debt.

Facing a new round of expenses to comply with documentary job requirements has prohibited many from pursuing employment.

Poe explained that Republic Act 11261 which she authored and sponsored mandates concerned government agencies not to collect fees for clearances or documents needed when applying for a job.

“We must give our all-out support to every Filipino striving to get a job for the first time,” she said.

The senator emphasized that the documents which must be given gratis to first-time jobseekers include the National Bureau of Investigation, police and barangay clearances; birth certificate; tax identification number; unified multi-purpose identification card; transcript of records from state universities and colleges; and other government-issued documents that may be required by employers from job applicants.

“The cost of these documents altogether hinder our graduates from pursuing their desired jobs at the outset,” Poe said.

Under the law, those availing of the benefits shall be required to present a barangay certification which should also be given free of charge and declare that the applicant is a first-time jobseeker.

“One crucial document may just be the only thing needed by an applicant to complete a job application. Furnishing it to him or her for free can help make a difference,” Poe said.