SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) – Some 7,431 youths across the MIMAROPA region benefited from the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office from 2022 to 2024.
The SPES is one of the government’s initiatives through DOLE to provide temporary employment to poor but deserving students and out-of-school youth ages 15 to 30 years old.
DOLE MIMAROPA Assistant Regional Director Nicanor V. Bon explained during the Philippine Information Agency-MIMAROPA Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, September 17, that SPES aims to help the youth prepare for employment and help them earn during their vacation.
“Sa employment facilitation, mayroon po tayong tinatawag na youth employability…dito po natin binibigyan ng pagkakataon po magkaroon po ng extra income po ‘yong mga estudaynte na kapos po sa buhay para sila ay makatapos ng pag-aaral,” Bon said.
(We have what we call youth employability under our employment facilitation. Here, we provide opportunities for students belonging to poor families to earn extra for their education.)
From 2022 to 2023, DOLE MIMAROPA earmarked P20,555,788.54 for the beneficiaries’ salaries for 5,527 youths under the program.
As of July 15, 2024, some 1,904 youths from various provinces in MIMAROPA have become part of SPES. These beneficiaries have or are working under DOLE’s partner local government units for 20 to 22 days.
Henry Cortuna, a SPES beneficiary from the Buhid Mangyan Tribe in Barangay Monteclaro, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, told DOLE Occidental Mindoro that being a part of the program is one of his stepping stones to help his tribe.
“Ako po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa DOLE dahil ako po ay napasama sa SPES. Malaking tulong po ito sa akin na makapagpatuloy ng pag-aaral at makamit ang pangarap ko na makatulong din sa aking tribo,” Cortuna said.
According to Gener Francisco of DOLE Occidental Mindoro, students or out-of-school youths who wish to become part of the SPES may visit the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in their municipality for application. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)
