Chairperson Karlo Nograles reminded first-time jobseekers eyeing government positions that they may request for a copy of a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from CSC free of charge.

Chairperson Nograles said that individuals applying for employment in career service positions for the first time may avail of one (1) original and one (1) authenticated copy of COE at no cost pursuant to CSC Resolution No. 2000363, which was issued on 21 February 2020 in compliance with Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11261 or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (FTJAA).

The said law provides that government agencies shall collect no fees or charges from a first-time jobseeker (FTJ) provided that the payment is paid in connection with the application documents usually required for employment.

“By giving free pre-employment requirements to qualified individuals, we not only expand access to government services, but we are also able to create opportunities that improve a first-time jobseekers’ access to employment,” said Chairperson Nograles, who is also one of the signatories of the recently signed FTJAA Joint Operational Guidelines along with other implementing agencies of the law.

Under CSC Resolution No. 2000363, the COEs are given to individuals who passed the Career Service Professional and Subprofessional Examination, and to qualified individuals with special eligibilities under special laws and CSC issuances, as proof that they are eligible to apply to positions in the public sector.

To request a copy of COE, an individual claiming to be an FTJ must be: a Filipino citizen; actively looking for employment; and must secure and present a barangay certification attesting that they are an FTJ.

Upon securing the barangay certification, the civil service eligible may proceed in any of the 16 CSC Regional Offices regardless of their place of examination to request for original and authenticated copies of the COE, free of charge. Additional copies are subject to current fees of PHP100 per COE and PHP50 per authenticated copy of COE.

Suppose the records of the CSC indicate that an individual had already applied for a COE in the past but has not yet been employed and is still eligible for the benefits provided by the FTJAA, they may still be allowed to request another copy of the COE at no cost.

Lastly, the CSC reminds successful first-time applicants to report back to their barangay upon successful employment.

Since the promulgation of CSC Resolution No. 2000363, a total of 208 COEs have been issued by the Commission to FTJ and indigent applicants.

“Inaasahan ng CSC na mas dadami pa ang magre-request ng libreng COE dahil sa mga mag-aaral na magsisipagtapos ng kolehiyo. Sana ay patuloy na maging parte ng career options ng ating FTJs ang pagsabak sa serbisyo publiko at dumami pa ang mga mahuhusay na lingkod bayang kabahagi natin sa pagpapaunlad ng ating bansa,” said Chairperson Nograles.

Under the FTJAA, an individual who is either a graduate from colleges, universities, and learning institutions, an out-of-school youth (OSY), a student taking a leave of absence from college or tertiary education, or a person intending to work while enrolled in any school or technical-vocational course may be considered as an FTJ as long they are:

• a Filipino citizen;
• a first-time jobseeker, regardless of age;
• actively looking for employment; and
• a resident of the barangay issuing the barangay certification.