Law gives poor studes a big break

More poor Filipino students will be able to go to school following an amendment to the law covering the government’s Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said on Sunday the amended law slashed the combined family annual income requirement to under P36,000 for beneficiaries to qualify for the program.

The program aims to help poor but deserving students pursue an education by providing them with funds to finance their studies and employment during summer and Christmas vacation.

While working, beneficiaries will be paid the minimum wage prevailing in their regions in the form of 40 percent in vouchers from the DoLE and 60 percent from their employers in cash.

To qualify, students aged 15 to 25 must currently be enrolled in any educational institution and have an average passing grade.

Previously, student-beneficiaries must have come from families with an annual income of at least P36,000.

Baldoz said that with the amendment, “more students can avail of the SPES.”

She noted that this was also made possible by the recent release by President Aquino of P168.1 million in additional funds for the program.

“I encourage interested applicants to the SPES to apply early,” she added.

Applicants can go to the nearest Public Employment Service Office to check if their combined family income meets the regional threshold as determined by the National Economic and Development Authority.