Bontoc, Mountain Province – A total of 60 students employed under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) of the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will be deployed in different Child Development Centers (CDCs) and their respective Barangay LGUs on June 18, 2024.

According to Labor and Employment Officer II Gladys Sawi of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), the 60 slots were distributed to the 16 barangays of the municipality.

Sawi said that the SPES beneficiaries must complete a total number of 20 official working days excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays.

Further, the SPES- beneficiaries shall be compensated a salary of ₱502.27 per day. Their wages shall come from the 60% share of the Bontoc LGU and the 40% counterpart of the DOLE.

In his message, Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., encouraged the students to take this opportunity to gain valuable work experience and develop skills that will be beneficial in their future careers.

“This program not only provides assistance to our young students but also equips them with essential skills and work ethics that will be beneficial in their future careers. Thus, I encourage everyone to make the most out of this opportunity, learn diligently, and perform their tasks with dedication and integrity,” he said in an interview.

The SPES is mandated under Republic Act No. 9547 otherwise known as “An Act To Help Poor But Deserving Students Pursue Their Education By Encouraging Their Employment During Summer and/or Christmas Vacations, through incentives granted to employers, allowing them to pay only 60% of their salaries or wages and the 40% through money remittance institution (USSC) to be paid by the government through the Department of Labor and Employment, prohibiting and penalizing the filing of fraudulent and fictitious claims, and for other purposes”, under this law, the Secretary of Labor and Employment is designated Program Director of the SPES.