60 Bontoc studes get summer jobs

By Alpine Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Sixty students were employed this summer vacation under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) of the Bontoc local government.

Labor and Employment Officer II, Jenelyn Caluza of the Public Employment Service Office said 60 slots were distributed in 16 barangays. Fifty slots were under the office of the municipal mayor while the remaining 10 slots were under the office of the vice mayor. Acceptance of application and requirements for this program is already closed. Caluza said, adding selection of SPES beneficiaries was based on “First come, first to comply with requirements basis”.

“There was no reservation of slots. We comply with the guidelines especially on the Income Tax Returns (ITRs) of both parents which must not exceed the Provincial Poverty Threshold after tax deduction which is P130, 620.00 per annum. Also, an applicant must have 75% passing grade,” Caluza said.

Caluza said SPES –beneficiaries will start to work on April 29 and must complete a total number of 20 official working days excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. 

The SPES- beneficiaries in the four central barangays of Bontoc will either be deployed to the nursery or offices of the Bontoc LGU corresponding to their skills. Meanwhile, the SPES- beneficiaries from the Upland Zone (Barangays Mainit, Maligcong, Guina-ang and Dalican), Riverside Zone (Barangays Bayyo, Talubin, Caneo and Tocucan), and ALBAGO (Barangays Alab Oriente, Alab Proper, Balili and Gonogon) will be deployed to their respective barangays to help in the clean and green program of the government. 

Considering that Bontoc is a second class municipality, Caluza said SPES beneficiaries shall be compensated a salary of P406.09 per day.

Their wages shall come from the 60% share of the Bontoc -LGU and the 40% counterpart of the DOLE.

An orientation was held April 24 at the Bontoc municipal capitol for the student workers.

Population program officer Elizabeth Faba-an also taught SPES workers life skills to empower themselves to become productive members of the community.

The SPES workers were also advised to submit the Post- SPES requirements immediately, after the SPES duration to hasten the release of their wages.  All SPES employees must submit their daily time records (DTRs) and accomplishment reports duly signed over printed name by the students and respective supervisors. These shall be submitted to the PESO – Office of the municipal mayor.

In his message, Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey encouraged the SPES  beneficiaries to do their best in their work adding that the program will not only help the students earn money, but also gain experience during summer break.

Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen seconded the pronouncement of Mayor Odsey and urged the SPES workers to perform their best of the work assigned to them.

The SPES, a yearly job generation program of the government, is intended to help poor but deserving students to pursue their studies by providing them employment during a vacation to augment their tuition fees for the coming school year.