House approves bill strengthening the Special Program forthe Employment of Students (SPES)

The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a much-awaited proposal to further strengthen and expand the coverage of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Prior to congressional adjournment, lawmakers approved House Bill 6414 further strengthening the youth employment program by amending certain provisions of Republic Act 9547 otherwise known as “An Act Strengthening And Expanding the Coverage of the Special Program For Employment of Students, Amending for the Purpose Provisions of R.A. No. 7323, Otherwise Known As The Special Program For Employment Of Students or SPES.”

The measure substituted House Bill 5469 principally authored by Rep. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles (1st District, Davao City) and HB 5977 by Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica (4th District, Bulacan). It was endorsed for plenary approval by the Committee on Labor and Employment chaired by Nograles and Committee on Appropriations chaired by Rep. Isidro T. Ungab (3rd District, Davao City).

Nograles said while it is recognized that SPES as an employment-bridging program has changed the lives of many Filipino youth, it cannot be denied that its implementation has encountered multitude of problems, both procedural and substantial.

“The current program covers only presently enrolled students, depriving other disadvantaged youth to pursue education. Difficulty is also encountered as to the mode of payment of wages to the beneficiaries. With the improvement and expansion of the SPES, it is hoped that it will allow more Filipino youth to pursue their education towards a better future through easy access to the program,” said Nograles.

Villarica said while the chronic problem of unemployment cannot be solved overnight, it could be mitigated and greatly decimated through innovative, stimulating and productive strategies to improve the lives of many Filipinos.

“As a strategy in addressing unemployment, the SPES law should be amended further by expanding its coverage and that the salaries should be paid in cash,” said Villarica, chairperson of the Committee on Women and Gender Equality.

House Bill 6414 for one, seeks to amend Section 1 of RA 9547 so that any person or entity employing at least 10 persons may employ poor but deserving students, out-of-school youth, dependents of displaced workers or would-be displaced workers due to

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business closures or work stoppages, intending to enroll in any secondary, tertiary, technical-vocational institutions, 15 years of age but not more than 30 years, paying them a salary or wage not lower than the minimum wage for private employers and the applicable hiring rate for the national and the local government agencies.

Moreover, the period of employment shall be from 20 to 78 working days only, except that during Christmas vacation, the employment shall be from 10 to 15 days, which may be counted as part of the student’s probationary period, should they apply in the same company or agency after graduation.

Students employed in activities related to their course may earn equivalent academic and practicum or on-the-job training credits as may be determined by the appropriate government agencies.

For purposes of this Act, poor but deserving students out-of-school youth, dependents of displaced workers or would-be displaced workers due to business closures or work stoppages intending to enroll in any secondary, tertiary, technical-vocational institutions refer to those whose parents’ combined income, together with their own, if any, does not exceed the annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of six for the preceding year as may be determined by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Employment facilitation services for applicants to the program shall be done by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

The bill also seeks to amend Section 2 of RA 9547 so that 60 percent of the salary or wage shall be paid by the employer in cash and 40 percent by the government also in cash directly to the student or through financial institutions or other payment facilities, subject to the existing rules on procurement which shall be applicable in the payment for the student’s tuition fees, books, and other education-related expenses including their daily allowance in going to school.

The 40 percent share shall be paid within 30 working days upon submission of the partner-employer or participating establishment of their report on payment of salary or wages which shall be the basis for the 40 per centum salaries or wages to be paid by the government through the DOLE.

In case of sickness, absence or death of the SPES beneficiary, the immediate heirs may claim the salary provided that proof to this effect has been clearly established.

The SPES beneficiary shall be entitled to social protection by virtue of an insurance coverage with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for a period of one year. (30) rbb