Dear Attorney,

I am currently employed under a Job Order (JO) with a Local Government Unit (LGU). I would like to ask if I can still avail of the benefits offered to a first-time job seeker when applying for an NBI clearance, considering my employment status? Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,
A Concerned Job Seeker

Insights

The "First-Time Job Seeker Assistance Act" (Republic Act No. 11261) is a law in the Philippines that aims to help individuals seeking employment for the first time by waiving government-issued documents' fees, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance. This law covers fresh graduates and first-time job seekers who meet certain qualifications.

To qualify, an individual must be actively seeking employment for the first time and should not have been previously employed, whether local or overseas. Employment under contracts of service, job orders (JOs), or other non-permanent government positions may disqualify the applicant from the first-time job seeker privilege since such roles are still considered employment, even if not regular or permanent.

Once a person avails of the benefits under RA 11261, they can only use it once. However, there are limitations to this law, as it doesn't cover all government-issued documents or those required for professional licensure exams.

For those unsure about their eligibility, it is advisable to consult with a legal professional or the concerned government agencies to verify whether their employment status affects their qualification for first-time job seeker benefits.