Bill to include out-of-school youth to special program for employment
MANILA, Philippines - Lawmakers sought to widen the coverage of Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) and add out-of-school youth (OSY) and dependents of displaced workers or would-be displaced workers due to business closures or work stoppages.
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| Bill which amend the Special Program for Employment of Students includes out-of-school youth and children of displaced workers. File photo |
Rep. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles (1st District, Davao City) filed House Bill 5469 to amend Republic Act 7323, also known as SPES, which currently provides employment to only poor but deserving students.
Nograles wants to amend the bills as the present program exclusively covers only current enrolled students which hinder other unfortunate youth from gaining education, he said.
He said the beneficiaries of SPES will be able to enroll in any secondary, tertiary or technical-vocational institutions once the bill is passed.
“While it is recognized that SPES as an employment bridging program has changed the lives of many Filipino youth, it cannot be denied that the implementation of the program has encountered multitude of problems, both procedural and substantial,” said Nograles.
Based on House Bill 5469, any entity or person employing at least 10 persons may employ poor but deserving students, OSY, or children of closures or work stoppages who wish to enroll in any secondary, tertiary or technical-vocational institutions, 30 years old below but not younger than 15 years old.
The act also requires 60 percent of the salary or wage shall be paid by the employers in cash and the remaining 40 percent by the government also in cash given directly to student through financial institutions or other payment facilities.
The salary or wage earned by the student will be subjected to the existing rules on procurement in the case of payment for tuition fees, books, and other education-related expenses, including their daily allowance.
The measure states that once the partner-employer or participating establishment submitted their report on payment of salary or wages, the government will then pay within 30 workings days upon submission through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
In case of sickness, absence, or death of the SPES beneficiary it is stated that the salary may be granted to the immediate heirs upon presentation of proof.
Aside from the salary or wage, the SPES beneficiary will also be entitled with social protection by virtue of an insurance coverage with the Government Service and Insurance System for a year.
DOLE will issue the implementation of rules and regulations to achieve the goals of the proposed bill.
The co-authors of the bill are Reps. Emmeline Aglipay Villar (Party List, DIWA), Florencio Flores, Jr. (2nd District, Bukidnon) and Deogracias Ramos, Jr. (2nd District, Sorsogon).
***Originally published on Philstar.com; April, 10, 2015; 5:27 p.m. Link: Bill to include out-of-school youth to special program for employment
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