APRIL 7, 2015

NR # 3794

Bill to amend the Special Program for Employment of Students

Out-of-school youth and children of displaced workers will soon be included in the
coverage of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) of the government.
Rep. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles (1st District, Davao City) filed House Bill 5469
seeking to amend Republic Act 7323 otherwise known as the Special Program for
Employment of Students (SPES), which currently provides employment to only poor bur
deserving students.
The bill widens the coverage of SPES to include out-of-school youth and
dependents of displaced workers or would-be displaced workers due to business closures
or work stoppages.
Nograles said the bill would allow them to enroll in any secondary, tertiary or
technical-vocational institutions.
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,
Nograles said.
The current program covers only current enrolled students, depriving other
disadvantaged youth to pursue education, Nograles added.
Under the measure, any entity or person employing at least 10 persons may employ
poor but deserving students, out-of-school youth (OSY), or dependents of closures or
work stoppages intending to enroll in any secondary, tertiary or technical-vocational
institutions, 15 years of age but not more than 30 years old.
The measure also requires 60 percent of the salary or wage shall be paid by the
employers in cash and 40 percent by the government also in the form of cash directly to
the student, or through financial institutions or other payment facilities.
It will be subjected to the existing rules on procurement in the case of payment for
the students tuition fees, books, and other education-related expenses, including their
daily allowance.
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 of the 40 percent salary or wages to be paid by the
government through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In case of sickness, absence, or death of the SPES beneficiary, the immediate heirs
may claim the salary upon presentation of proof.
The SPES beneficiary shall be entitled to social protection by virtue of an insurance
coverage with the Government Service and Insurance Commission (GSIS) for a period of
one year.
The DOLE shall issue the implementing rules and regulations to carry out the
purposes of the proposed Act.
The co-authors of the bill are Reps. Emmeline Aglipay Villar (Party List, DIWA),
Florencio Flores, Jr. (2nd District, Bukidnon) and Deogracias Ramos, Jr. (2 nd District,
Sorsogon). (30) jc