(Infographic courtesy of DOLE Ilocos Norte)
LAOAG CITY 鈥� The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and several private companies here have teamed up to boost the special employment of students and out-of-school youth (OSY) in the province.
Janelyn Martin, head of DOLE Ilocos Norte, told the Philippine 黑料社 Agency on Tuesday that around 550 jobs are open for students and OSY with the possibility to be hired as part-time or permanent employees.
The Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) aims to provide temporary employment to poor but deserving students, out-of-school youth, and dependents of displaced or would-be displaced workers during summer and/or Christmas vacation or any time of the year.
This project is meant to augment the family鈥檚 income and help ensure that beneficiaries can pursue their education.
To further maximize the contribution of SPES to the success of young Filipinos and the country鈥檚 job generation and facilitation efforts, the Marcos administration has strengthened the program and increased its budget allocation.
DOLE has allotted P828.9 million this year for SPES, higher compared to P585 million in 2023, as confirmed by the Department of Budget and Management.
SPES was created under Republic Act 7323 as amended by Republic Act 9457 and further amended by Republic Act 10917.
Every year, SPES is being implemented by DOLE in partnership with local government units as well as with private employers engaged in food service businesses here.
鈥淭he beneficiaries will work for 20 days and the DOLE has allotted P2,342,828.98 counterpart,鈥� Martin said in an interview.
She said 40 percent of the applicable minimum wages of the beneficiaries will be shouldered by DOLE and the remaining 60 percent by the employer.
Interested applicants may directly apply to private and public establishments or DOLE Ilocos Norte Field Office, as the application is now ongoing.
As of this posting, private employers like Chowking, Zarks Burgers, and Ramen Naijiro have committed to hiring some of the students and OSY as crew members.
Others who will be hired will be deployed to government offices to do clerical jobs and provide general assistance to the public.
Martin said all beneficiaries, either working in private or public establishments, are entitled to insurance coverage valid for a year.
鈥淭his is a big help for us students because we are given the privilege to help our parents to earn and to learn also,鈥� Febe Bagcal, a student of Mariano Marcos State University who is planning to avail of the SPES program, said.
The SPES program is expected to start this summer.