PIA Press Release
Sunday, January 22, 2012 DOLE 2 targets 9,000 students for SPES program this yearby Thelma C. Bicarme TUGUEGARAO CITY, Jan. 22 (PIA) -- Around 9,000 poor but deserving students of Cagayan valley region are to benefit from the Special Program for Employment SPES this year, higher than the 8,553 beneficiaries last year, according to Grace A. Pomar, SPES focal person. Pomar said their office is now ready to accept applicants for the said employment program and aside from DOLE, applicants can also submit their application to their local government units and other agencies supporting the program. She urged interested applicants to visit their office at Turingan Building, Campos St., Caritan Centro, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan or they can call telephone number (078) 844-6265 for more information. She added that the program specifically caters the children of poor parents so that they will have the opportunity to get short-term but gainful employment. On the other hand, Pomar said their office is now open for sponsoring groups such as local government units, national agencies and private companies. She also thanked the sponsoring groups last year for providing gainful employment to the youth, adding that the success of the implementation of the SPES program is dependent on the support of the sponsors. SPES beneficiaries work at a minimum of 22 days to a maximum 52 days with pay amounting to not less than the prevailing minimum wage in the region. Under R.A. 7323, or the SPES Law, participating partners in the program pay 60 percent of the salaries or wages of the beneficiaries, while the DOLE pays the balance of 40 percent through education vouchers. (TCB/PIA 2) | 
