By Bernadine A. Gabawan
Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, Mar 8 (PIA) – Some 60 college students who availed the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), recently received their checks representing the partial payment for their services rendered under the program.
Mayor Leonardo Babasa, Jr. and PESO Manager Engr. Cerilo Carcueva distributed the checks amounting to P1,560,00 or the 40% share from the Labor and Employment Office. While the remaining 60% in the amount of P3,300 will soon be released by the local government unit.
Last year, the municipality have only 40 SPES students who benefited from the program. But this year, its number was increased through the effort of Mayor Babasa, who stretched it to 60 so that more deserving students will be benefited from the program.
“We increased the number of SPES recipients so that more indigent students can be accomodated,” Babasa said in his inspirational message to the students. “We are here to strive for you and in your part, please do strive also so that you will be able to finish your studies,” he further said.
The distribution of the checks was also witnessed by Pablito Matias, Municipal Economic Enterprise Officer, Conchita Sucaldito, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer and parents of the recipients.
Marlene Lumido, one of the parents present during the distribution said, “we are very much thankful to this special program of the government, it really helps us (parents) send our children to college. (BAG/PIO-Bayog/PIA9/CAL).