by Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan, June 7 (PIA) – More
than the jobs offered to the young people to earn for their continued
education, the beneficiaries of the Special Program for Education of Students
(SPES) were also provided the opportunity to showcase their potential and
talents at a SPES Fest.
Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Labor
in Isabela City Westley Tan disclosed that some 147 student beneficiaries
displayed their potentials and talents at the first SPES Fest Extra Challenge
Friendship Palaro held last May 30 at the Claret College of Isabela Campus.
Tan said the activitiy was part of the 2012
Labor Month celebration with the theme: “Pagtutulungan. Pagbabago. Disenteng
Trabaho”
The student beneficiaries participated in a
team-building extra challenge to showcase the potential in team sports of mix
volleyball and chess, talents in painting, singing, dance interpretation, and
group dynamics and creativity in food preparation.
DOLE said the participating teams are from the
four institutions sponsoring and implementing the said program popularly known
as the summer job. These institutions were the Basilan State College, the Claret
College of Isabela (CCI), Latuan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association Inc.
(LARBAI) and United Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose
Cooperative (UWARBMPC).
In his welcome message, newly installed
President of CCI Rev. Fr. Noelito Q. Salandron highlighted the significance of
the immortal Latin motto, “Ora et Labora, meaning to pray and work and
integrate the component of playing to a balance work-life,” saying that “we are
here to gain more friends, enjoy and expand your network and collectively work
for the change that we desire.”
Tan said that a showdown of the SPES talents
capped the day’s activity—“unleashing the creativity, spirit of camaraderie,
and thinking out of the box.”
Team Basilan State College topped the mix
volleyball and chess for male and female category. Team UWARBMPC of Cabunbata
garnered triple first-place finished for the dance, song and painting
competition. Meanwhile, Team LARBAI finished the best food set-up and group
dynamics during the lunch preparation.
Providing the needed support are partners
from Isabela City PESO Manager Otie Ricablanca as Chairperson of the Committee
together with the Dr. Al-basser S. Sappayani (PESO-BSC), Alberth A. Buenbrazo
(PESO-CCI), and HR Manager Orlando G. Lawama (UWARBMPC). The members of the
Board of Judges include Consultant Gemma C. Paculio of the Provincial
Government of Basilan, Ms. Ricabalanca and Lourdes O. Katipunan of the Isabela
City Human Resource Management Office and the Chairman Rene V. Carbayas of the
Philippine Information Agency – ZAMBASULTA.
Pursuant to Republic Act RA 7323 as amended by RA 9547
otherwise known as the SPES Law, it aims to assists poor but deserving students
(aged 15-25) to pursue their education by encouraging their employment and
providing income to augment their studies. The 60% salary of the
student-beneficiaries shall be paid by the employer while the remaining 40% is
paid using the SPES Fund of DOLE. It is now being implemented on a year round
basis with a minimum of 20 days and maximum of 52 days. Interested employers
with a minimum of 10 workers are encouraged to participate as part of their
social responsibility to provide the needed world of work exposure to students.
(DOLE/RVC/PIA9-ZBST)