CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Some 100 students have recently completed a work program under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) in this town.

They received their salaries at the Municipal Hall over the weekend.

Mayor Condralito dela Cruz and Vice Mayor Dexter David led the distribution of salaries for the student-workers with municipal councilor in attendance. Each student received P8,866 for their 22-day summer job.

SPES is an annual program implemented by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) and the local government unit, through the public employment services office (Peso). It provides government agencies and participating private establishments the opportunity to help poor but deserving students and out-of-school youth in pursuing education by employing them during the summer or Christmas vacation.

The SPES program was created under Republic Act 7323, which was enacted on March 30, 1992. Vice Mayor David said that program enables students to earn money during their summer vacation as well as gives them the opportunity acquire job experience in preparation for their future work after graduation.

Of the total payout, 60 percent was sourced from local government funds while the remaining 40 percent was shouldered by Dole.