DoLE targets 180,000 under student employment program

THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DoLE) yesterday said it wishes to reach 180,000 beneficiaries under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) this year, up from its target of 140,000 in 2012.

“With the reinforced implementation and strengthened partnership with the private sector in 2012, the DOLE has again made an impact in the lives of thousands of Filipino youth who have no means but have the ability to pursue college education,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz said in a statement yesterday.

Citing the report of the Bureau of Workers with Special Concern, DoLE announced in the same statement that it had reached 138,635 beneficiaries under the SPES last year, or 99.03% of its 2012 target, and it expects more beneficiaries this year with an allotment of P441.5 million.

The SPES, which was established in 1992 under Republic Act No. 7323, aims to give employment to high-school, college or vocational students, as well as out-of-school-youth. It is being implemented by the agency’s regional offices, according to DoLE.

For one to qualify under SPES, one must be 15 to 25 years old. Family income must also “… not exceed the latest annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of six as determined by the National Economic and Development Authority,” the DoLE said.

DENR SCHOLARSHIP

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is offering a scholarship grant to beneficiaries of Bayani ng Kalikasan Awardees (Environmental Heroes), or employees of the department who have died in line of duty.

DENR Memorandum Circular no. 2013-02 dated Jan. 17 states that the DENR will grant the “Bayani ng Kalikasan” Awardees’ “child or his/her authorized/designated beneficiary a full scholarship.”

The beneficiary must enrol in any Baccalaureate Degree on courses that are relevant to the DENR’s “strategic thrusts, plans and priority programs” including Environmental Science, Forestry, Geodetic Engineering, Geology, Mining Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Ocean and Marine Science among others.

Scholars will have to enroll in state-owned/run universities within the country. However, they may also opt to enroll in private institutions provided that they will shoulder any excess in the total cost of tuition fees based on the rate of the University of the Philippines.

They will also have to maintain a general weighted average of 2.75 or its equivalent.

Other financial benefits are as follows:

• Tuition, matriculation and other fees assessed by the university/colleges;

• P3,500 school supplies, book and internet allowance;

• Reimbursable two round trip tickets from residence to the place of study;

• P5,000 monthly living allowance;

• P10,000 thesis allowance;

• And reimbursement of actual graduation expenses not exceeding P10,000.

A scholarship contract will then be signed by the scholar and his or her guardian which will obligates the scholar to render one year of government service for every year he spends in college as a scholar.

In a statement sent to reporters yesterday, Environment Secretary Ramon P. Paje said “this is our way of recognizing the service and contribution of our fellow workers who died while protecting the environment.”

Citing DENR data, the statement said that there have been 60 foresters, officials and other DENR personnel who have died while doing their tasks. — Richard Jacob N. Dy and Raymond Jun R. Portillo
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