300 Davao Norte students start special employment

DAVAO CITY: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - Davao del Norte Field Office said Monday it has deployed 300 students under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES). Jennylyn Rosalinda, head of DOLE-Davao del Norte employment team, said the SPES beneficiaries began working on June 28 and will end on July 10. Before they were dispatched, the DOLE provincial office conducted a series of orientations in various municipalities and cities in Davao del Norte, including Asuncion, Santo Tomas, Braulio E. Dujali, Kapalong, Tagum City, Panabo City and Talaingod. 'During the orientation, the facilitators provided valuable deployment information and emphasized the program's importance in equipping young individuals with practical work experience to prepare them for the workforce,' Rosalinda said in a statement. DOLE-Davao Region Director Randolf Pensoy said the SPES picks deserving students, out-of-school youth and dependents of displaced workers aged 15 to 30. Beneficiaries are employed during summer or Christmas vacations or any time of the year to augment their family's income and help ensure they can pursue their education, Pensoy said. Employers, public or private, will pay 60 percent of the students' salaries based on the region's minimum wage rate, while DOLE will shoulder the remaining 40 percent. 'DOLE-11 remains dedicated to supporting young individuals' professional growth and development through impactful employment initiatives,' he added. Source: Philippines News Agency