ILOILO City – One hundred forty-four beneficiaries of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) of the city government have received their salaries.
The students were paid P323.50 daily for 20 to 30 days of summer work.
“You should enjoy while working because when you enjoy your work, you will be happier doing what you do,” said Mayor Jose Espinosa III, who handed the students their pay.
Public Employment Service Office head Ma. Elena Benitez said there were 154 student beneficiaries but the remaining 10 were still processing the documents required for the release of their salaries.
The working students – mostly poor and aged 15 to 30 years old – were assigned in various departments and offices at city hall.
Benitez said the SPES aims to “help the beneficiaries finish their studies.”
“The city government understands there are parents who have a hard time paying for their children’s [school needs],” she said. “We hope to see these students get their diploma and help their parents and siblings.”
Some of the beneficiaries “worked for 30 days,” Benitez noted. “They have been working under the SPES since they were 15 years old.”
The city government paid for 60 percent of the students’ salaries while 40 percent was from the Department of Labor and Employment.
The 17-year-old Marla Aleckzandrew C. Vargas, a Grade 12 student of Iloilo Science and Technology University, said she was able to develop her skills while enjoying her work as an SPES beneficiary.
“It was fun. I got to enhance my skills in writing speeches and news. I was assigned at the Public Information Office,” Vargas said.
She said she will use her salary to buy books and school supplies. (Merianne Grace Ereñeta, Iloilo City PIO/PN)
