300 Davao Norte Students Embark on Special Employment Program

DAVAO DEL NORTE – Three hundred students in Davao del Norte have started their temporary jobs under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), a government initiative aimed at providing work experience and supplementary income to support their education. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – Davao del Norte Field Office announced the deployment on Monday, with the employment period running from June 28 to July 10.

According to Jennylyn Rosalinda, head of the DOLE-Davao del Norte employment team, the program included a series of orientations across various municipalities including Asuncion, Santo Tomas, Braulio E. Dujali, Kapalong, Tagum City, Panabo City, and Talaingod before the students began their employment. “During the orientation, the facilitators provided valuable deployment information and emphasized the program’s importance in equipping young individuals with practical work experience to prepare them for the workforce,” Rosalinda stated.

DOLE-Davao Region Director Randolf Pensoy explained that the SPES targets deserving students, out-of-school youth, and dependents of displaced workers aged 15 to 30. The program operates during the summer or Christmas vacations or at any time of the year, helping students augment their family’s income and ensure their educational pursuits. Employers, whether public or private, cover 60 percent of the wages at the regional minimum wage rate, while the remaining 40 percent is funded by DOLE.

“DOLE-11 remains dedicated to supporting young individuals’ professional growth and development through impactful employment initiatives,” Pensoy added.