Councilor pushes for SPES program to proceed

BAGUIO City Councilor Vladimir Cayabas is pushing for the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) to proceed.

Cayabas said the program benefits hundreds of students and hopes the program can proceed with adjustments if necessary.

He proposed a work from home scheme for the SPES as recipients have already been chosen prior to the lockdown if only not to deprive the students for the cash allotted for them.

Cayabas also broached the pay now and work later scheme for the program on the agreement the SPES will eventually complete the close to 80 days of work at city hall.

The alderman, chair for the Committee on Education, Sports and Culture said the SPES is a summer program which gives about P10,000 to deserving students which will fund their education for the school year.

The project is a joint activity of the Department of Labor and Employment and the city government to give a chance for students a chance to work and get financial aid.

In 2018, four hundred individuals were hired by the local government for the program geared towards providing deserving youth the opportunity to work to sustain their studies.

The Public Employment Services Office (Peso) manager, said funds for the increase in the individuals to be hired under the SPES are incorporated in the proposed annual budget of the city this year.

The SPES are distributed in the various offices of the city performing specific duties and responsibilities.