By Alma L. Tingcang
PAGADIAN CITY, March 2 (PIA) - - ‘‘The Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) is now implemented the whole year and not just during summer, starting last year 2011.’’
DOLE Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano said this when he came over to Pagadian City during the turn-over of Kabuhayan Starter Kits to 81 beneficiaries in Zamboanga del Sur on February 28. He said SPES budget for this year has been doubled to benefit more poor but deserving students in the ZamPen Region.
‘‘Students are given a maximum of 52 working days, with 60% to be shouldered by the partner agency or local government unit and 40% from DOLE. Not only regular students can avail of this but the out-of-school youth as well. If the OSY are given skills training by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) or other agencies, DOLE will still give 40% share of the minimum wage for the duration of their training,’’ RD Cano explained.
However, he said some innovations have been made in the employment of students such that partner LGUs and private sector will engage them in greening activities.
“If they will employ students, these will be assigned in plant nurseries, preparation of seedlings, cleaning and waste segregation and other similar activities so that we will likewise protect the environment. This is one move which will be for the benefit of everyone,” RD Cano said.
Meanwhile, Assistant Regional Director Virginia l. Bonbon said this program, implemented by the present administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III and DOLE Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz is their commitment to the public. At the ground level, they are only implementers, to ensure that this will trickle down to the grassroots and received by its intended beneficiaries.(ALT/PIA9-Zambo Sur)