HOUSE WF REPRESETATIIES
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Republic of the Philippines bared

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TNE 0°22
Constitution Hills, Quezon City BY: 7

REGS TRATION UNIT
JBULS AND INDEX SERVICE

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4
House Bi No. 843

Introduced by Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon IIT

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to expand the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES),
amending section 1 of RA 9547 amending RA 7323 otherwise known as the “Special
Program for Employment of Students” and providing funds therefor. For several years
of implementation, it is recognized that SPES has changed the lives of many Filipino
youth. It cannot be denied, however that its implementation has encountered problems.

The current program covers only enrolled students setting aside other
disadvantaged youth to pursue education. The program should also be extended to youth
who are not enrolled in any educational institutions and to dependents of workers who
are involuntarily separated from work or business. The age limit or coverage of the
program must also be increase from twenty-five (25) years to thirty (30) years and in the
same manner, the period of employment be extended to sixty-six (66) working days.

While unemployment remains a chronic problem in the country, this could be
mitigated through the innovative and productive strategies like the SPES program to
improve the lives of the Filipino youth.

Immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

nam XQ IL J. ABAYON III

Representative
Party-List AANGAT TAYO.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

643

Introduced by Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon III

AN ACT
EXPANDING THE SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR EMPLOYMENT OF STUDENTS,
AMENDING SECTION 1 OF R.A. 9547 AMENDING RA 7323 OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR EMPLOYMENT OF STUDENTS”
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the “Special Program for
Employment of Students (SPES) Expansion Act.”

SECTION 2. Section 1 of R.A. 9547, otherwise known as the "Special Program for
Employment of Students (SPES)", is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 1. Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, any person or
entity employing at least ten (10) persons may employ poor but deserving
students, OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTHS, AND DEPENDENTS OF DISPLACED
WORKERS DUE TO INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION FROM WORK OR
BUSINESS, INTENDING TO ENROLL IN ANY SECONDARY, TERTIARY,
TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, fifteen (15) years of age but not
more than [twenty-five (25)] THIRTY (30) years old, paying them a salary or wage
not lower than the minimum wage for private employers and the applicable hiring
rate for the national and local government agencies: Provided, that student enrolled
in the secondary level shall only be employed during summer and/or christmas
vacations, while those enrolled in the tertiary, vocational or technical education
may be employed at any time of the year: Provided, further, That their period of
employment shall be from twenty (20) to [fifty-two (52)] SIXTY-SIX (66) working
days only, except that during Christmas vacation, employment shall be from ten
(10) to fifteen (15) days which may be counted as part of the students’ probationary
period should they apply in the same company or agency after
graduation: Provided, finally, That students employed in activities related to their
course may earn equivalent academic credits as may be determined by the
appropriate government agencies.


"For purposes of this Act, poor but deserving students, OUT-OF-SCHOOL
YOUTHS, AND DEPENDENTS OF DISPLACED WORKERS DUE TO
INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION FROM WORK OR BUSINESS, 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 (6) 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).

"Participating employers in coordination with the PESO, must inform their SPES
employees of their rights, benefits, and privileges under existing laws, company
policies, and employment contracts."

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,