AGUSAN DEL SUR – Some one hundred twenty-three beneficiaries under the Special Program of the Employment for Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) from the province of Agusan del Sur graduated this year from the different universities in the country. 

Sixteen of which were recognized and awarded with cash incentives by the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) for graduating with Latin honors: nine Magna Cum Laude and seven Cum Laude recipients --- by far the batch of SPES graduates with the most Latin honors.

“Sa atong SPES babies, proud na gani mi nga nakagraduate mo og college, but to graduate with honors, garbo gyud mo sa atong probinsya… Dako sab akong pasalamat sa Department of Labor and Employment sa partnership nato sa pag implement niining programa sa probinsya (To our SPES babies, we are proud that you graduated with honors, which gave pride to our province),” Gov. Santiago Cane, Jr., shared as he led the recognition and awarding of cash incentives to the said graduates. 

Vice-Governor Samuel Tortor and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, were also present during the said event.

The implementation of SPES was made possible through the support and commitment of the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) headed by Ms. Divina P. Lagumbay, Provincial PESO Manager.

The Special Program for Employment of Students or SPES more known as Summer Job is the department’s youth employment-bridging program which aims to provide temporary employment to poor but deserving students, out-of-school youth, and dependents of displaced or would-be displaced workers during summer and/or Christmas vacation or any time of the year to augment the family’s income to help ensure that beneficiaries can pursue their education. (Christian Phillip N. Lozano, DOLE-Agusan del Sur/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)