Palawan PESO to increase SPES beneficiaries

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1026746
• Friday, March 2, 2018

By Celeste Anna Formoso (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The Palawan Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) is increasing the number of beneficiaries of its Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) this year.

Richard Rebote, the manager and chief manpower development officer of the PESO, said Tuesday that for 2018, an estimated 665 students would benefit from SPES in the whole province compared to last year’s 500

The number of beneficiaries increased this year because there were municipalities last year that were not given slots, said Rebote.

Students who could benefit from the student employment program should be within the ages 15-25, he said.

“When it comes to work assignments, they will be assisting the regular personnel and staff of various offices. They’re not allowed to do major taskings,” he said.

The SPES is mandated under Republic Act No. 7323 to help poor but deserving students pursue their education by encouraging their employment during summer and/or Christmas vacations through incentives granted to employers, allowing them to pay only 60 percent of their salaries or wages and 40 percent through education vouchers.

It is a component of the national government’s Kabataan 2000 Program along with the Work Appreciation Program (WAP) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

SPES aims to develop the intellectual capacities of children of poor families and harness their potential for the country's well-being.