THE Pampanga Provincial Government, led by Governor Dennis Pineda, distributed P6,037,080 to 600 Fernandino students under the Special Program of the Employment of Students (Spes) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Public Employment Service Office (Peso) at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex on March 1.
Pineda, joined by Third District Board Member Rosve Henson, led the distribution of salaries to student-beneficiaries who have worked for 20 days under the program.
"Tulad ng commitment ko sa inyo, as long as nandito ako, hanggang sa makatapos kayo, kayo ang priority ko sa SPES," said the governor.
Spes is an annual program of the government that aims to help less fortunate students pursue their education through temporary employment.
"Rest assured that the provincial board is in full-support of the governor in the allocation of budget intended for the SPES," said Henson.
Each beneficiary received a salary worth P10,061.80 after accomplishing a work-from-home task, such as encoding, tutoring, and gardening.
"We see to it na mayroon silang output, pero hindi na kailangan na lumabas pa ng bahay para na rin sa proteksyon nila," said Luningning Vergara, Peso head.
The Provincial Government shouldered the 60 percent of the salaries amounting to P6,037.08, while the 40 percent which costs P4,024.72 came from the DOLE.
Angel Liwanag, third year BS Accountancy student at Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU), is one of the beneficiaries who have expressed their gratitude for being part of the program.
"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat po ng tulong ninyo magmula pa noong first year kami, hindi po kayo nagsawang bigyan kami ng opportunity. Nagpapasalamat po kami sa lahat po ng pagpapagal ninyo, nawa po ay hindi kayo magsawa, maraming salamat po," she said.
Liwanag also added that the program is a huge relief to students who are struggling financially, especially during these trying times.
During the event, Pineda announced that Spes is set to be re-implemented as early as June this year.
He then thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III for the unwavering support of the National Government to the province. (PR)