Bontoc, Mountain Province – Sixty students are employed this summer vacation under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) of the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU).
According to Labor and Employment Officer II, Jenelyn Caluza of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), the 60 slots were distributed to the 16 barangays of the municipality. Of the 60 SPES- beneficiaries, 50 slots are under the Office of the Municipal Mayor while the remaining 10 slots are under the Office of the Municipal Vice Mayor. However, the acceptance of application and requirements for this program is already closed.
Caluza emphasized that the selection of SPES beneficiaries is based on the “First Come, First to Comply with Requirements Basis”.
“There is no reservation of slots. We comply with the guidelines especially on the Income Tax Returns (ITRs) of both parents which must not exceed the Provincial Poverty Threshold after tax deduction which is P130,620.00 per annum. Also, an applicant must have 75% passing grade,” Caluza said.
Caluza said that SPES –beneficiaries will start to work on April 29, 2019, and must complete a total number of 20 official working days excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. The SPES- beneficiaries in the four central barangays of Bontoc will either be deployed to the nursery or offices of the Bontoc LGU corresponding to their skills. Meanwhile, the SPES- beneficiaries from the Upland Zone (Barangays Mainit, Maligcong, Guina-ang and Dalican), Riverside Zone (Barangays Bayyo, Talubin, Caneo and Tocucan), and ALBAGO (Barangays Alab Oriente, Alab Proper, Balili and Gonogon) will be deployed to their respective barangays to help in the Clean and Green Program of the government.
Considering that Bontoc is a second class municipality, Caluza mentioned that a SPES- beneficiary shallhave a salary of P406.09 per day. Their wages shall come from the 60% share of the Bontoc -LGU and the 40% counterpart of the DOLE.
To ensure that SPES beneficiaries are well- informed of their duties and responsibilities, an orientation was held on April 24, 2019 at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol. Aside from this, Population Program Officer Elizabeth Faba-an shared to the SPES workers the life skills which are necessary for empowering themselves to become productive members of the community.
The SPES workers were also advised to submit the Post-SPES requirements immediately, after the SPES duration to hasten the release of their wages. All SPES employees must submit their Daily Time Records (DTRs) and Accomplishment Reports duly signed by the students and respective supervisors. These shall be submitted to the PESO –Office of the Municipal Mayor and be compiled for the preparation of the SPES salary representing the 60% counterpart of the Bontoc-LGU. After their salaries have been processed and released, the PESO shall prepare a Terminal Report to be submitted to the DOLE –Provincial Office for the preparation of the SPES –beneficiaries check representing the 40% counterpart of the DOLE.
In his message, Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey encouraged the SPES–beneficiaries to do their best in their work adding that the program will not only help the students earn money, but also gain experience during the summer break.
“It is with high hopes that the salary you earned while working this summer vacation will help in your studies next school year to be used for payment of your tuition fees and other needs in school. We have chosen students who we know will continue their studies next school year. We believe that the program will help you and your parents even in a little way,” the mayor added.
Odsey also credited the realization of the program not only due to his action, rather the result of a harmonious alliance and with the unwavering support of the Sangguniang Bayan to the Local Chief Executive (LCE).
Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen seconded the pronouncement of Mayor Odsey and urged the SPES workers to perform at their best in the work assigned to them.
The SPES, a yearly job generation program of the government, is intended to help poor but deserving students to pursue their studies by providing them employment during vacation to augment their tuition fees for the coming school year. It aims to develop the intellectual capacities of children and harness their potentials for the country’s well-being.** Alpine L. Killa, Bontoc –LGU
