Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has filed a bill that seeks to provide fresh graduates of tertiary education, universities, colleges and training institutions with a one-time P5,000 cash assistance to help ease job-hunting costs.

In filing Senate Bill No. 1961 or the “Fresh Graduates P5,000 One-Time Cash Grant Act of 2026,” Ejercito said it is imperative for the government to incentivize the determination of young Filipinos to join and contribute to the country’s labor force by demonstrating its readiness to ease their financial burdens during the transition from education to employment. 

 “Many individuals who have completed tertiary education aspire to secure decent employment that provides adequate benefits for a stable and dignified living. However, as fresh graduates who often have limited financial resources, they are faced with various expenses associated with job applications,” Ejercito said in the explanatory note of the bill.

“These include transportation costs, printing of resumes and other 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.

Ejercito said that while the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act already waives certain government fees for first-time job seekers, the bill aims to further support them by providing a one-time cash grant of P5,000.

“This assistance 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.

Under the bill, fresh graduates who will avail of the P5,000 cash grant must submit to the government agency or local government unit (LGU) a copy of his or her diploma, certification, document or communication from the academic or vocational or technical institution.

The document should show and clearly indicate the date of graduation or completion, the course completed or degree earned and duly signed by the institution’s duly authorized representative.

The bill also provides the creation of an inter-agency monitoring committee to be headed by the chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and in coordination with other department heads.

The said committee will be in charge of formulating the implementing rules and regulations that would supplement the implementation of the bill, as well as recommend to proper authorities the filing of an administrative complaint against any person who refuses to comply with the proposed law.