“First-Time Job Act Medical Certificate Dispute” in the Philippine Context: A Comprehensive Legal Overview

1. Introduction

In April 2019, Republic Act No. 11261, otherwise known as the “First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act,” was signed into law in the Philippines. The primary goal of this legislation is to help first-time jobseekers by waiving certain government fees and charges in the issuance of key documents required for employment applications.

Although its purpose is clear, confusion—and at times outright disputes—have arisen over whether the law covers the cost of medical certificates or the laboratory tests that may be required by employers. This article discusses:

The legal basis of the First-Time Jobseekers Assistance Act
The scope and implementing rules
The specific issue or “dispute” over medical certificates
Official and practical interpretations of the law
Guidance for first-time jobseekers and employers

2. Legal Basis: Republic Act No. 11261

2.1 Purpose and Legislative Intent

Rationale: RA 11261 (the “First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act”) was enacted to ease the financial burden faced by fresh graduates and other first-time applicants in acquiring pre-employment documents. Lawmakers recognized that fees for various clearances and certificates can be prohibitive, thus hindering jobseekers from securing employment promptly.
Primary Benefit: The law mandates waiver of certain government fees for the issuance of specific pre-employment documents to eligible first-time jobseekers.

2.2 Who Qualifies?

Definition of First-Time Jobseeker: Anyone seeking employment for the first time, typically evidenced by a Barangay Certification that states the individual has no prior work experience (or has not previously been employed in a regular or contractual capacity).
One-Time Benefit: The law’s benefits can only be availed once. Once a qualified individual uses the waiver to secure necessary documents, the privilege is considered consumed.

3. Scope of Waived Fees Under RA 11261

3.1 Enumerated Documents

The First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act explicitly mentions that fees for certain documents are waived, including (but not limited to):

NBI Clearance
Police Clearance Certificate
Barangay Clearance
Birth Certificate (from the PSA, if applied through certain channels under the law’s IRR)
Transcript of Records and Certificate of Graduation (from state universities/colleges, public schools)
Tax Identification Number (TIN) registration (BIR)
Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) card application
PhilHealth ID application
And other government-issued documents needed for job application

The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 11261 also provide a degree of flexibility, allowing the concerned government agencies to waive fees for other documents that first-time jobseekers commonly need, provided they fall under the coverage and definition set out by the law.

3.2 Inclusion of Medical Certificates

While not always explicitly stated in short summaries, medical certificates (particularly those issued by local or city health offices) can be interpreted as among the documents for which government fees may be waived.
Important Distinction: The waiver often only covers the certification fee (i.e., the fee that the local health office charges for issuing a medical certificate). It may not include the cost of laboratory tests, X-rays, or other diagnostic procedures that employers might require. This distinction is at the core of the so-called “medical certificate dispute.”

4. The Medical Certificate Dispute

4.1 Overview of the Controversy

Core Issue: First-time jobseekers often report that while local health units waive the “issuance fee” for the certificate itself, they still end up paying separate fees for laboratory tests, chest X-rays, drug tests, or other related medical examinations.
Legislative Silence: RA 11261 does not expressly discuss whether the cost of diagnostic tests is waived. Consequently, some local government units (LGUs) or local health offices interpret the law strictly—waiving only the official “certificate fee” but not the actual cost of tests.

4.2 Varying LGU Practices

LGUs with Strict Interpretation: In some cities or municipalities, local health offices waive the “certificate issuance fee” (for example, PHP 50–100) but still charge for lab tests (potentially PHP 200–1000+ depending on tests required).
LGUs with Liberal Interpretation: A handful of LGUs interpret the law as providing for comprehensive coverage. They argue the spirit of the law is to remove all barriers for first-time jobseekers; hence they attempt to subsidize or waive basic medical checkup costs. However, budget constraints often limit how many such free medical services can be extended.

4.3 Government Agency Stance

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
- Generally upholds that fees charged by government agencies for issuing a job-required document (including a medical certificate) should be waived for first-time applicants.
- But DOLE clarifies that medical exams beyond the standard issuance of a certificate may fall under “private costs” if the medical institution is not government-run or if the procedure is more comprehensive than the local health office’s standard tests.
Department of Health (DOH)
- Emphasizes that the law is silent on the cost of laboratory tests, which are often necessary for a legitimate medical certificate.
- Recommends LGUs to create local ordinances or guidelines on how to manage or subsidize basic medical exams for first-time jobseekers, subject to their local budget allocations.

5. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) Provisions

The IRR of RA 11261 provides the general mechanism for fee waivers but still leaves discretion to national agencies and LGUs to determine specific coverage. Key points include:

Barangay Certification Requirement
- The first-time jobseeker must secure a certification from their Barangay stating that it is indeed their first time to apply for a job. This certification triggers the fee waiver privileges.
List of Agencies and Documents
- The IRR contains a non-exhaustive list of documents covered. Medical certificates from government health offices are generally included if they form part of the standard employment requirements.
Validation of “First-Time” Status
- Agencies can cross-check whether an individual has availed of the free issuance previously (through a shared database or requiring a sworn statement).

Despite this IRR framework, no single provision explicitly details the coverage or non-coverage of fees for medical and laboratory procedures; thus, local practice varies.

6. Practical Implications for First-Time Jobseekers

Check LGU Guidelines
- Before applying for a medical certificate, visit or call your local health office or city/municipal hall. Ask if they are waiving the full medical check-up cost or only the “certificate issuance fee.”
Prepare for Possible Additional Costs
- Even if the certificate issuance fee is waived, you may still be asked to shoulder the actual laboratory or diagnostic exam fees.
Keep Records
- Maintain copies of your Barangay Certification and any relevant forms that prove you are a first-time jobseeker. This documentation is vital to claim fee exemptions.
Ask Employers About Requirements
- Clarify the extent of the medical test they require. Some might only need a standard “fit to work” certificate from a government doctor, while others might mandate more extensive procedures that may not be covered.

7. Practical Implications for Employers

Clarify Pre-Employment Medical Requirements
- Employers should be transparent with applicants regarding the scope of the medical examination required (basic check-up vs. comprehensive labs).
- Stating these requirements in job ads or in the initial interview helps applicants prepare the correct documents.
Coordinate with LGUs / Government Health Offices
- In areas where local health offices provide free or subsidized medical certificates to first-time jobseekers, employers can streamline hiring by directing applicants to those offices.

8. Potential Resolutions and Future Directions

Local Ordinances
- Several LGUs have started passing local ordinances clarifying the coverage for medical certificates. These ordinances typically outline which costs are waived (basic exam fees, issuance fees) and which are not (advanced lab tests).
Budget Allocation for Subsidized Medical Exams
- DOH may encourage LGUs to allocate funds so that first-time jobseekers can have truly “free” or heavily subsidized medical clearance. This is, however, dependent on the local government’s capacity and budget priorities.
National-Level Amendment or Clarification
- There have been calls for a more explicit amendment or a revised IRR from DOLE and DOH that would uniformly define what constitutes a “medical certificate fee” in the context of RA 11261.
- Clear guidelines would help harmonize practices across regions and reduce confusion for both applicants and local authorities.

9. Conclusion

The First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (RA 11261) was a significant legislative step to empower new graduates and other first-time applicants by reducing the financial obstacles tied to obtaining mandatory pre-employment documents. While the law clearly waives fees for various government-issued clearances, the medical certificate requirement remains the area where disputes and confusion abound.

In many places, issuance fees for the certificate itself are waived, but laboratory and diagnostic test costs may still be charged. Until uniform guidelines or clarifications are issued—either via amendments to the law, an updated IRR, or unified local ordinances—the responsibility ultimately falls on:

First-time jobseekers to verify local policies and prepare for potential out-of-pocket expenses,
LGUs to draft coherent rules that reflect the spirit of RA 11261 while balancing financial realities, and
Employers to provide clear instructions on the scope of required medical examinations.

By being aware of these nuances and carefully navigating existing processes, first-time jobseekers can maximize the intended benefits of the law and more easily transition into the workforce—thus fulfilling the core objective of the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act.