Jinggoy lauds bicam OK of amendatory provisions to expand,
strengthen employment program for students

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has lauded the bicameral conference committee for approving amendments to Republic Act 7323 or the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) to benefit a greater number of poor but deserving students.

The bicam approved the amendments recommended under Conference Committee Report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill 2116 and House Bill 5388 by the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development chaired by Estrada. Sen. Estrada principally authored and sponsored the measure.

The SPES, enacted in 1992, enables students to "earn and learn" during summer and Christmas vacations to help them finish their studies as well as develop productive work ethics and explore opportunities for their future career. Under the measure, poor students aged 15 to 25 years old could be employed by private employers as well as local government agencies and would receive salaries not lower than the prevailing minimum wage. Sixty percent of the salaries are paid in cash by the employers, while the remaining 40% are given in the form of education vouchers which can be used to pay for tuition fees and book expenses.

"RA 7323 was passed seventeen years ago. These amendments will make the law more relevant and responsive to the needs of the current sweep of the global economic crisis, especially with regard to our unemployment problems," Estrada, who also chairs the joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Labor and Employment, said. Among the amendments adopted by both chambers of Congress included:

• Downsizing the restrictive requirement from at least fifty (50) to at least ten (10) employees for an employer or entity to qualify under SPES;

• Instituting measures to ensure that employment would not become priority over finishing education, by limiting periods of employment;

• Earning academic credits for students employed in activities related to their course, and reduced probationary period should they apply in the same agency after graduation;

• Requiring employers to inform student-workers of their rights, benefits and privileges under existing laws and company policies;

• Non-mandatory delegation of responsibility to local government units for paying the salary of students;

• Penalizing persons or entities who refuse or dishonor educational vouchers by the government; and,

• Increasing appropriations annually for the program.

Estrada noted that based on the report by the Department of Labor and Employment, a total of 984,840 students have already benefited from the program since its implementation.

"Through this measure along with its newly-placed provisions, it is hoped that more students could avail of the program and be supported in their education. Malaki ang maitutulong sa pag-ahon ng bansa sa krisis kung ang ating mga kabataan lalo na ang mga mahihirap ay makakapag-aral at makakahanap ng trabaho," Estrada said.