The Department of Labor and Employment-Central Luzon (DOLE-3) on Wednesday distributed PHP2.9 million for a total of 799 student-beneficiaries of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) in the province of Bataan.
The distribution activity was held as part of the Labor Day job fair at the Bataan People’s Center in Balanga City, where some 4,000 jobs, both local and abroad, were made available to jobseekers in the province.
Of the total student-beneficiaries, 785 were given temporary employment by the city government of Balanga while 14 were immersed in the workplace by the provincial government of Bataan for 20 days.
Each SPES beneficiary of Balanga City received PHP3,719 while those of the provincial government of Bataan got PHP4,376.
Of the amount, 40 percent was from DOLE while the remaining 60 percent was shouldered by the local government units (LGUs).
DOLE Assistant Regional Director Alejandro Inza Cruz said the SPES aims to help poor but deserving students pursue their education by giving them employment during their summer and/or Christmas vacation or any other time of the year.
“The SPES is an employment program for students that helps to immerse them in government and private partner agencies in order to hone their sense of leadership and public service while at the same time, helping them earn an income,” Inza Cruz said during the live-streamed event.
Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III, for his part, thanked the DOLE for being their partner in providing support to the students.
“Bukod sa pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Manggagawa, bahagi din ang gawaing ito ng ating ‘Matatag na Pamilyang Bataeño’ Ordinance kung saan layon natin na tiyakin na ang ating mga kababayan ay sapat na kinikita pra sa kanilang pamilya upang maging mas maginhawa, maayos and matatag ang kanilang pamumuhay (Aside from the celebration of Labor Day, this activity is also part of our ‘Matatag na Pamilyang Bataeño’ Ordinance wherein we want to ensure that our provincemates have sufficient income for their families for a more comfortable, orderly and stable lives),” he said. (PNA)
