MAYOR Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has called on the 1,271 mostly high school students comprising the second batch Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) to help build back a better Zamboanga.
Salazar made the call as she spearheaded Thursday the orientation of the students who will work for a 20-day period from May 9 to June 5.
The orientation was aimed to acquaint beneficiaries with their duties and responsibilities under the program, which is a joint undertaking of the local government and the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).
Salazar told the students that the future of Zamboanga City lies in their hands as she urged them “please do your very best for a brighter future and altogether let’s help build back a better Zamboanga.”
The SPES, which is commonly known as the summer job program, is now on its 9th year of implementation.
Salazar said the SPES is a God-given opportunity for the youths to learn the values of work at the same time help them pursue their education.
The students will help in the barangay cleanliness and beautification program, updating of barangay profile/census, simple clerical jobs in local government offices, janitorial activities, carpentry works, and other non-hazardous activities.
Each of the students will received a daily wage of P280 or for a total of P5,600 for a 20-day work.
The City Government will shoulder 60 percent of the salary of the students while the Dole will pay the remaining 40 percent of the salary.
The City Government has appropriated P9 million, while Dole has allocated P7 million for this year’s SPES in the region.