Manila: House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander 'Sandro' Marcos of Ilocos Norte is advocating for the approval of a legislative measure that mandates higher education institutions to provide fresh graduates with free academic records and implement digital systems for their efficient release.

According to Philippines News Agency, House Bill No. 8701, also known as the Academic and Labor Pathways Assistance for Students (ALPAS) Act, is designed to support fresh graduates, defined as those within 12 months of their graduation. The bill aims to eliminate the financial and administrative obstacles they encounter when seeking employment.

The proposed legislation requires all higher education institutions, both public and private, to offer free employment application documents to fresh graduates. This includes transcripts of records, diplomas, and certificates of graduation. Graduates are entitled to receive at least five free copies of their Transcript of Records or Certificate of Graduation, along with certified copies of their diploma upon graduation. They may request an additional set of copies within 12 months, all free of administrative, processing, or certification charges.

Furthermore, HB 8701 obliges educational institutions to create a digital academic records system. This system will enable graduates to request, process, and access their documents online, promoting faster, more efficient, and accessible services.

Filed on March 18, the measure addresses ongoing employment challenges, particularly for young Filipinos entering the job market. In a statement released Monday, Marcos emphasized the bill's role in facilitating an effective transition from education to the workforce. He highlighted that acquiring necessary job application documents can be costly and time-consuming for many graduates.

Marcos stated that the bill seeks to mitigate practical barriers faced at the initial stages of the job-seeking process. He noted that simplifying access to academic documents and modernizing processing systems would expedite graduates' entry into the workforce.

Marcos concluded that the measure is vital in ensuring Filipino graduates are well-prepared to explore employment opportunities and contribute significantly to the nation's workforce.