CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — A total of 2,422 Bulakenyo youths have benefited from the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) of the provincial government of Bulacan and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) during the summer vacation.
Jennifer Duca, focal person of SPES from the Provincial Youth, Sports, Public Employment Service Office, said the SPES beneficiaries have already received their salaries, 60 percent of which came from their employer while the remaining 40 percent was shouldered by DOLE.
Duca said the summer job at the provincial government lasted 20 days; in private companies, 30 days; and in two fast-food chain companies, 78 days.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the program aims to help underprivileged but deserving students pay for their education by providing additional income through SPES every summer vacation.
”The provincial government wants to help the youths prepare for their future by providing (them) jobs during the summer season,” Sy-Alvarado said.
“The SPES is a good opportunity for the Bulakenyo youths because they are not only earning income but are also getting knowledge and experience,” he added.
Kristine Plamenco, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication student at the Baliwag University and a SPES beneficiary for the past two years, said the program has helped her a lot in pursuing her college education.
”Through SPES, I have been able to help my parents pay for my school expenses. At the same time, I’ve learned a lot,” she said. (Manny Balbin/PNA)
