Around 160 students completed the Special Program for Employment of Students in Dumaguete City.
The 20-day summer job culminated in a graduation ceremony Thursday at Building 2 of the Dumaguete City Public Market.
Public Employment Services Office In-Charge Socorro Mira said the daily wages of the SPES recipients come from a sharing scheme between the city government and the Department of Labor & Employment, a media release said.
DOLE shoulders 40 percent while the city government covers 60 percent of their wages.
During the 20-day period, the program recipients participated in community services assigned in the clean and green program of the city government through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, while the other recipients also assigned at the Dumaguete City Public market.
During the closing program, Vice-Mayor Woodrow Maquiling, Sr. delivered his inspirational message in behalf of Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria.
Maquiling said, the city government will continue the program for the benefits of the poor but deserving students to pursue their dreams to enroll in the coming school year.
Poverty is not an obstruction for those with a genuine desire for education, said Maquiling in the vernacular.
The recipients also thanked the city government through Mayor Sagarbarria and the city officials for the opportunity given them to work this summer for a short period.
Also present during the graduation ceremony were Rey Awayan of the Environment & Natural Resources Office, Joy Caballes of the City Economic Office, and Kit Generoso of the Department of Labor & Employment.
SPES started in Dumaguete City in 1993 and was implemented through the city PESO for qualified high school and college students. (PNA/PR)
