The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), has resumed offering assistance to students who wish to continue their education while working part-time in this premier Freeport.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino expressed appreciation for this program knowing that it will help less privileged but deserving college students see them through their dream of acquiring a college degree while working.

According to SBMA Labor Department manager Atty. Melvin Varias, the two agencies are offering the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) to students here who intend to pursue their education by giving financial assistance thru employment.

SPES is DOLE’s youth employment-bridging program that aims to provide temporary employment to poor but deserving students, out-of-school youth, and dependents of displaced or would-be displaced workers during summer or Christmas vacation.

The program was halted for some time when restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic prevented face-to-face interaction, and education went online.

Paulino urged Subic Bay Freeport investors to take part in the said program by providing income or augmenting their income by encouraging the beneficiaries’ employment.

“This will develop the intellectual capacities of children who came from poor families, and harness their potential, not just for the Subic Bay Freeport, but for the country’s well-being as well,” the chief added.

The SPES program stipulates that the company employing the students will only pay 60 percent of their salaries or wages, while the DOLE will pay 40 percent of their wages via education vouchers.

Participating companies here include First Subic Bay Food Ventures, Eddie and Julie G Food Corp, Yahu Uno G Food Corp, Kewen Industry Inc, and Tokiwa Subic Corp. who have already joined the program, with most of these companies under the fast food sector. Varias said that there were 18 SPES beneficiaries in 2021. Seven of them already received their check voucher; while there are 53 SPES pledges for 2022, and three more companies joining the program.

Deadline for submission of SPES application is March 18. Requirements for the SPES application include: a resume with 2×2 picture; birth/ baptismal certificate; form 138 for the third grading period for high school students; report of grades or academic class card and enrollment registration form for higher education or college.

The SPES also requires applicants to present their parents’ income tax returns or Bureau of Internal Revenues (BIR) form 2316 duly stamped and received by the agency, and the certificate of indigency or low income issued by the barangay or social welfare and development office of their respective local government units.

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