Lingayen – Governor Amado ‘Pogi’ Espino, III has approved additional 150 slots to the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) project implemented in the provincial government, from the150 existing slots to a total of 300 grants next year.
This was bared by Governor Espino during the distribution of 60 percent wage counterpart of the provincial government to the second batch of SPES workers (75 beneficiaries) this year held at the Pangasinan – Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO) here on August 5.
Earlier, 75 members of the first batch of SPES grantees have received their wage counterpart from the province.
The Pangasinan PESO has released a total of Php730,000 for the 60 percent counterpart of the province for the 150 SPES workers. Each SPES grantee underwent a 20-day work experience with the daily wage rate of 409.09.
Separate distribution will be held for the 40 percent counterpart from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
During the awarding of wages to the Capitol SPES workers, Governor Espino has asked the beneficiaries to strive more in life and value the sacrifices of their parents for their schooling.
“I hope that with your SPES experience, you now have learned to value the essence of nurturing ‘sacrifice’ for the betterment of yourselves and your families,” the said.
“Be responsible enough and do not take for granted the sacrifices of your parents,” the governor told the SPES grantees as he urged them to use their wage for schooling requirements or for the good of their families.
Meanwhile, PESO Manger Alex Ferrer noted that the SPES program of the DOLE implemented in the provincial government under the term of former Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., now 5th district Representative, started wtih 100 grantees and later on accommodated 50 additional slots.
“The SPES program specifically helps students who come from less-privileged families, but are competitive and deserving,” Ferrer pointed out.
The SPES workers were deployed in offices and hospitals run by the province.
Expressing gratitude for the support of the provincial government to the SPES program, Vanessa Rosana, on behalf of the grantees, cited the gains she got from the SPES entitlement.
“The SPES opportunity molded me to become a productive student and citizen,” said Rosana, a 2nd year elementary education student at the PSU Urdaneta campus.
Rina May Visperas, a fisheries student of PSU Binmaley, on the other hand, lauded the SPES grant as a chance for them to help their parents ease the finances in sustaining their college schooling.
DOLE representative, Labor Employment Officer III Rhodora Dingle from Western Pangasinan field office was present during the distribution.