TACLOBAN CITY – A total of 66 students from this city began their 20-day summer employment on Monday, May 5, under the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), a joint initiative of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).
The program aims to provide short-term employment to economically disadvantaged students, allowing them to earn income and gain work experience during school breaks.
Each participant will receive a daily wage of P615, with 60 percent shouldered by the local government and 40 percent by DOLE. Their employment period will run until May 26.
According to Maureen Paciencia-Severino, labor and employment officer I of PESO, the students were assigned to various government offices based on their interests or academic backgrounds. Their tasks include assisting in administrative work, accommodating clients, and supporting frontline services.
Before deployment, the students underwent orientation sessions and participated in a community clean-up drive, sign language training, and a team-building activity.
Severino said the program is designed not only to provide financial aid but also to help participants develop workplace discipline, skills, and a sense of civic responsibility.
To qualify, applicants must be residents of Tacloban, currently enrolled in senior high school up to third-year college, and belong to households classified below the poverty threshold. A certificate of indigence is also required.
More batches of student workers are expected to be deployed under the program later this year.
(SHYNNA MAE SESBREÑO, LNU Student Intern)
