The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, through its Public Employment Service Office, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment, conducted the payout for the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) on January 14, 2026 at the Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili. A total of 114 student-beneficiaries received compensation after completing 20 days of temporary employment across various Capitol offices and different municipalities.
The SPES program aims to provide underprivileged yet deserving students and out-of-school youth with the financial means to support their education and personal expenses. Each student-beneficiary is entitled to a total salary of ₱12,300. Of this amount, 60% or ₱7,380 was funded and distributed by the Provincial Government, while the remaining 40% will be provided by DOLE. The students earned these grants by performing clerical tasks, administrative work, and community service, among others.
Ma. Imelda Molave, a 25-year-old SPES beneficiary from San Antonio, Milaor, shared how the program has impacted her life. “Pang-4 years ko na po ito. [Puon] 2021 hanggang ngunyan po, nakalaog na po ako sa SPES. Maogma po since ini-aim ko po talaga na bago ako maka-graduate, dapat igwa na po akong experience. Na-assign po ako sa PESO office and nanudan ko po na maging mapagkumbaba since nasa public [service] po kita. Sa job offering [section] po ako na-assign mismo and kaipuhan pong maging marhay sa gabos, dapat i-explain kung ano po ang mga ino-offer and para sain ini.”
She added, “Pinagpapasalamat ko po ini kasi saro po akong aki nin solo parent. Mahirap po. Kaya salamat po sa experience [na ini]. Ang mare-receive ko pong sahod, ibabayad ko po sa [school] ta ma-pictorial na kami. Need na pong mag-downpayment. Ibabayad ko po sa graduation fee since ma-graduate na po ako.”
Governor Lray Villafuerte personally distributed the salaries and discussed meaningful programs and projects available for youth involvement.
“Alam ko dalawa lang ang nasa isip niyo ngayon. Una, makatapos ng pag-aaral. At pangalawa, makahanap ng trabaho pakatapos makapag-aral. Importante ‘yan. Kaya gumagawa kami ng mga espwerso para makatapos kayo— scholarships, more [community] colleges. Ayaw din namin na basta makatapos lang kayo, gusto namin makahanap kayo ng trabaho. Kaya nag-eencaminar kami ng hanapbuhay, negosyo, investors na kayo ang makikinabang. Dai natatapos ang satong iribahan sa SPES,” said the Governor.
