CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — At least 927 students from this province benefited from the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) last summer.
SPES is an annual program implemented by the provincial government of Pampanga, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), with the aim of helping poor but deserving students in pursuing their education by providing them income through employment.
The beneficiaries, comprising college and senior high school students, were deployed in various local government units (LGUs) and worked for 20 days during their summer break.
Through the SPES, not only did they save up for their tuition fees and other school needs but also had the opportunity to learn and experience work in the real world.
Aldrin Mercado, one of the program beneficiaries in this province, said the SPES provided a big relief and learning experience to students like him who want to finish their studies and land decent jobs.
“Thank you very much. The SPES program is my key to continue my studies. As one of the beneficiaries, I also gained a lot of experience in work,” said Mercado, who belongs to an Aeta community in Barangay Nabuklod, Floridablanca, Pampanga.
Mercado, a third year BS Criminology student at Celtech College, along with the 926 other SPES beneficiaries, received on Wednesday their salaries for 20 days of work.
DOLE Regional Director Zenaida Angara-Campita said the salaries paid to the students amounted to more than PHP8.4 million.
“This amount represents the combined funding of the provincial government of Pampanga and SPES-funds allocated by the Department of Labor and Employment intended for this year’s SPES implementation,” Campita said.
Out of the total PHP8.4 million, PHP3.4 million represents the DOLE‘s 40-percent share while the remaining PHP5 million represents the provincial government of Pampanga’s 60-percent share.
Campita also said that the 927 students represent the initial batch of SPES beneficiaries in Pampanga this year.
“The beneficiaries represent the initial batch of SPES beneficiaries from a total of 9,495 slots allotted by the provincial government of Pampanga in support to the SPES program,” she said.
Campita also noted that among the regions in the country, Central Luzon, particularly Pampanga, received the highest fund allocation from the DOLE for the implementation of this year’s SPES program.
Governor Lilia Pineda, who led the salary distribution, together with some provincial and DOLE officials, urged the beneficiaries to use their earnings wisely, particularly in addressing their educational needs.
“We hope that you use your hard-earned money wisely by putting it on your educational needs. Education is the most valuable thing students must attain. It is through education that you will become better providers to your families and productive citizens of this country,” she told the students. (Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario/PNA)
