A proposed law seeking to grant students fresh out of college a one-time P5,000 financial assistance to fund initial expenses while scouting for employment has moved forward in the House.
The development follows House Bill 6542, which aims to complement and assist fresh graduates with a P5,000 productivity/earnest fund for their job application, transportation, and settling-in costs, hurdled the House committee on higher and technical education.
The bill’s proponent, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, claimed that the bill’s enactment would help and encourage fresh grads as they enter the workforce.
“They can also utilize the amount, small as it may be, in commencing a micro business or a start-up enterprise,” said the solon.
Representatives from several state agencies present at the hearing voiced no opposition to the plan and proposed only minor amendments to enhance the bill.
Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, meanwhile, proposed including a provision mandating cash grant be coursed through ATM.
There were approximately 345,000 graduates in both public and private higher education institutions in the 2020-2021 academic year according to the Commission on Higher Education