CALAMBA CITY — The city government of Calamba has announced that it will fully fund the salaries of 1,270 beneficiaries of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), a move that underscores its commitment to supporting educational opportunities for financially challenged students.
According to Philippines News Agency, who spoke at the SPES orientation held at the Jose Rizal Coliseum on Monday, the city will assume complete financial responsibility for these beneficiaries. The remaining 230 beneficiaries will have their wages subsidized by a partnership between the city and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), with the city covering 60 percent and DOLE the remaining 40 percent. This arrangement mirrors the program’s typical funding structure.
SPES is a DOLE initiative designed to provide temporary employment to students from low-income families during their school break. Participants in the program, all of whom are engaged in various city government offices, earn a daily wage of PHP590.91, mirroring the government's Salary Grade I.
Mayor Rizal also noted that each participant will work for 20 days, earning a total of PHP11,818.20. Additionally, his office has set aside funds to provide a supplemental allowance of PHP1,000 for each participant, further aiding their financial needs for the upcoming school year.
The mayor emphasized the dual benefits of the program: practical experience in government operations and financial support for educational expenses. "You will be exposed to government service as you work under the SPES and will provide you an income while on vacation to be used for the next school year," he stated to the beneficiaries.