Eddiegul speaks his mind over Talisay’s failure to hire students

CEBU, Philippines - “Pwede man siguro mapangita-an og budget. Dili unta himuon og rason nga wala’y budget kay anogon kaayo,” first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas yesterday told The Freeman after learning that the Talisay City government has stopped hiring students since 2010. 

Gullas said the local government should support the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) that provides short-term employment to “poor but deserving” students. 

The SPES, mandated under Republic Act No. 9547, aims to help poor but deserving students pursue college education by providing income or augmenting their income by employing them during the summer break and Christmas vacation.

Student-beneficiaries are assigned to work in SPES-registered private establishments, government institutions, and departments.

DOLE’s will shoulder 40-percent of the students’ salaries while 60 percent the employers.

The SPES is open to all qualified high school college, technology, or vocational students or drop-outs, and interested employers.

The SPES enables student-beneficiaries gain skills and workplace experience, and is jointly implemented by the DOLE, LGUs, and the private sector.

Established in 1992 under Republic Act No. 7323 and amended by RA 9547, the SPES is open to all qualified high school, college, and vocational or technical school students, and the out-of-school youth.  (FREEMAN)