398 students avail SPES

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, May 12 (PIA)— The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Siquijor announced that 398 of the 800 student-applicants availed of its Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) with 20 days of service. 

DOLE Information Officer Jerome Alam said that the 398 students came from the six towns of Siquijor. 

Two hundred student-applicants were hired at the provincial government, 41 at the local government unit (LGU) of San Juan, 79 each at the LGUs of Siuqijor and Larena. 

Alam said the daily wage rate of the SPES vary depending on the existing rate of the local government units. 

Those employed at the provincial government and LGU-Larena will have a daily rate of P200 per student. 

The SPES in LGU-San Juan will enjoy a daily rate of P202, while those of LGU-Siquijor, P178. 

SPES is mandated under Republic Act No. 7323 otherwise known as an act to help poor but deserving students pursue their education by encouraging their employment during summer or even on Christmas vacation. 

This allows the students to save money from their salaries that can be used for their school expenses. 

The Siquijor Association of Public Employment Services Office (PESO) Managers support the SPES program, Alam also said. (mbcn/RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor w/ reports from C. Manginsay/St reporter)