DOLE Eastern Visayas to hire 5,000 students, OSY for summer employment

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is encouraging students and out-of-school youth (OSY) to apply for the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) early this month.

SPES regional focal person Salve Yepes said the labor department targets to hire 5,067 youth from Eastern Visayas this year.

The figure is lesser than the 8,000 target last year since there is a higher level of hiring rate position of local government units in 2017.

“The objective of the program is to help the poor but deserving students and OSY provided that they will pursue their education next school year,” Yepes said.

The region's PHP23.11 million budget for the program will be divided to the different local government units in the region and their share depends on the income classification of the areas where qualified SPES beneficiaries are assigned.

The new amended law for the employment program under Republic Act 10927 has expanded the required working days from a month to a maximum of 78 days. From an age limit of 25, the program will accept workers even if they are 30 years old.

Documentary requirements are duly accomplished application form, birth certificate, copy of grades during the last term attended with at least 75 percent passing average, income tax or certificate of indigency, and good moral character for OSY. These documents must be submitted to the nearest public employment service office where the applicant resides.

The employment office will determine qualified and deserving applicants to be accepted in the program. Passers will then be referred to DOLE.

Qualified student applicants will start working in summer. (PNA) 

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