BANGUED, Abra – The Department of Labor and Employment Abra field office continues to extend its services in support to Executive Order 70 or the “whole-of-nation” approach to End Local Communist Armed-Conflict (Elcac) in the province.
DOLE-Abra Director Christopher Tugadi reported 71 recipients in Malibcong, Tubo, and Pilar benefited from the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) for the first quarter of 2023. The assistance has a funding of P317,748.
“This program aims to help poor and deserving students to pursue education through employment during summer and in return, they will be given salaries,” Tugadi said.
He reported for the second semester last year, DOLE allotted P278,683 for the implementation of SPES in Tubo and Pilar with 65 beneficiaries.
SPES is a program of the DOLE providing temporary employment for poor but deserving youth usually during summer or Christmas vacation.
Aside from the SPES, DOLE is implementing its regular programs such as the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program in conflict-affected areas.
Under the DILP, a total of 181 Abrenians were granted with livelihood packages amounting to more than P2.6 million for second semester last year. There were 96 beneficiaries from Luba, 62 from Tubo, four each from Malibcong, Pilar, and Lacob, six from Villaviciosa, and five from Sallapadan.
Two beneficiaries from Malibcong and Luba were earlier granted with DILP assistance particularly sari-sari store project.
“The DILP provides workers with additional income and alternative livelihood and employment most especially those priority-areas under the Elcac program,” Tugadi said.
Another DOLE program being implemented in Elcac areas is the Tulong Panghanap-Buhay sa Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers. – Christian Allister Tubadeza
