A measure requiring higher education institutions to provide free academic records to fresh graduates has been filed at the House of Representatives.

Filed for this purpose by House Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos was House Bill (HB) No. 8701, or the Academic and Labor Pathways Assistance for Students (ALPAS) Act,

The measure puts an emphasis on the adoption of digital systems to streamline the release of the academic records.

Its target beneficiaries are fresh graduates, defined as individuals who are within 12 months from graduation. The bill aims to remove financial and administrative barriers that these persons face when applying for jobs.

“The Constitution recognizes the close relationship between education and labor in national development. Taken together, these provisions highlight the importance of ensuring that graduates are able to transition effectively from education to the workforce,” Marcos said in HB No.8701's explanatory note.

The measure was filed in the first regular session of the 20th Congress amid persistent employment challenges, particularly among young Filipinos entering the labor market.

“Unemployment and underemployment continue to pose significant challenges in the Philippine labor market,” said the presidential son.

Under the bill, all higher education institutions, whether public or private, are required to provide fresh graduates with free employment application documents, including transcripts of records, diplomas, and certificates of graduation.

Upon graduation, each graduate is entitled to at least five free copies of their transcript of records or certificate of graduation, as well as certified true copies of their diploma, with an additional set odf copies available within 12 months, all without any administrative, processing, or certification fees.

“For many graduates, the journey towards employment begins with completing documentary requirements for job applications. Yet obtaining multiple copies of these documents can involve additional costs and time-consuming procedures,” noted Marcos.

The bill also mandates higher education institutions to establish a digital academic records system that will allow graduates to request, process, and obtain their documents online, ensuring faster, more efficient, and more accessible services.

“This measure seeks to strengthen that transition by addressing practical barriers encountered at the earliest stage of the job-seeking process,” said second-term lawmaker.

According to the majority leader, easing access to academic documents and modernizing processing systems would help graduates enter the workforce faster and more efficiently.

“By making essential academic records more accessible and improving the efficiency of records processing systems in higher education institutions, this measure helps ensure that Filipino graduates are better equipped to pursue employment opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s workforce,” Marcos explained.