MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that 387,329 first-time jobseekers nationwide received free barangay certifications from January to July 2025 under Republic Act 11261 or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (FTJAA).

A barangay certification affirms that a person has been a resident of the barangay for at least six months and is applying for work for the first time.

According to consolidated data from the DILG’s National Barangay Operations Office, CALABARZON recorded the highest number of beneficiaries with 106,149 certifications issued, followed by the National Capital Region with 66,475 and Region III with 64,468.

RA 11261 prohibits government agencies, GOCCs, LGUs, and government hospitals from charging fees to first-time jobseekers for documents usually required in local or overseas employment.

To guide barangays, the DILG earlier issued Memorandum Circular 2020-128, outlining the duties of barangay officials in issuing certifications free of charge.

The department said the initiative supports first-time jobseekers in accessing employment opportunities without added cost, consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda of streamlined and citizen-friendly services.