Naga suspends “summer jobs”

CEBU, Philippines - The implementation of the Summer Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) this year in Naga City has temporarily been suspended because of the prohibition imposed by the Commission on Elections on the hiring of employees and the release and disbursement of public funds.

In an interview with The Freeman, Mayor Valdemar Chiong said Comelec Resolution No. 9585 prohibits the release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds from March 29-May 13 this year.

Resolution No. 8737 which takes effect from March 26 to May 10, prohibits heads of national and local government offices to appoint or hire new employees whether on a permanent, provisional, temporary, substitute, or casual basis.

They are also not allowed to create and fill in any new position.

“Karon kay election man, wala sa mi. Ato unang i-freeze and we will resume it by next year na,” Chiong said.

The SPES is mandated under Republic Act No. 9547 also known as an Act to Help Poor But Deserving Students Pursue Their Education By Encouraging Their Employment During Summer and/or Christmas Vacations.

The SPES is open to all qualified high school, college, vocational students, or dropouts, and interested employers.

Chiong said there are about 200 high school, college, vocational, and dropout students which will be affected by the imminent prohibition on government fund disbursements and releases particularly for local government units.

The SPES is a joint undertaking of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) and local government units (LGUs) on a 60-40 scheme.

This program offers not less than 20 days every summer from April to June.

Payment scheme of their salary is 60 percent from the LGU and 40 percent from the DOLE. (FREEMAN)