A bill that will provide fresh graduates of tertiary institutions with P5,000 cash assistance to help ease their job-hunting costs has been filed and is expected to be tackled in the Senate.
The proposed measure, Senate Bill No. 1961 or the ‘Fresh Graduates P5,000 One-Time Cash Grant Act of 2026,’ has been referred to the Senate Committees on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and Finance.
According to its author, Sen. JV Ejercito, the bill seeks to institutionalize a productivity cash grant for Filipino graduates of higher education and training institutions as they transition from education to employment.
‘The problem is not just the lack of job opportunities but also the mismatch between the jobs available and the skills of fresh graduates. Many individuals who have completed tertiary education aspire to secure decent employment that provides adequate benefits for a stable and dignified living,’ Ejercito said in the explanatory note of his proposed measure.
He lamented, however, that fresh graduates often face financial challenges during the job search process, including transportation expenses for interviews, printing of resumes and 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,’ he said, noting that thousands of fresh graduates are expected to enter the workforce this graduation season.
Ejercito noted that based on the 2025 Labor Force Survey by the Department of Labor and Employment, as cited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), there is a 2.6 percent increase in the number of unemployed college graduates from the December 2024 rate of 35.6 percent.
Ejercito explained that while Republic Act No. 11261, or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, already provides fee waivers for first-time job seekers, the proposed measure aims to further expand government support through a direct cash grant.
‘The asssistance is intended to help fresh 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,’ he said.
He stressed that the government not only acknowledges the determination of young Filipinos to join and contribute to the labor force, but also demonstrates its commitment to easing their financial burdens as they seek employment.
If enacted, graduates must present proof of completion, such as a diploma or certification issued by their educational institution to avail the benefit.