As the summer vacation kicks off, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launches its program offering summer jobs for students who want to earn money while they are on vacation

According to recent news reports, DOLE claimed that its project has already begun in Manila, where applicants have undergone due screening process. So far, there are approximately 1,000 jobs waiting for students in Manila.

If a student’s course is related to medicine, he or she would be deployed in city hospitals and health centers. If their course is tourism, then they would be deployed in the government’s tourism offices, according to the officer-in-charge of Manila Youth Development and Welfare Bureau, Robin Carlos Reyes. Their jobs would depend on the course they are taking, he noted.

As mandated under the Republic Act No. 9574, DOLE is required to implement a Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).

The agency’s program is open for students who are at least 15 years of age, but not older than 25 years of age.

However, all applicants should have an average passing grade during their last term in school. Also, they will be asked to submit the combined net income of their parents or their personal income, which must not surpass the recent annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of six as ruled and provided by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

DOLE claimed that approximately half a billion pesos were allocated for the program since 40 percent of the salary will be provided by the DOLE, while the 60 percent will be provided by the local government units or private companies which will be part of the program.

For interested applicants DOLE announced that they may start applying at DOLE offices near their area or at the Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) in their municipal hall.