The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) urged more private companies to participate in the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) to help students earn money to support their studies.

To date, DOLE Regional Director Ponciano Ligutom said DOLE 6 has an P18-million budget for the program for this year only.

DOLE also called on more students to avail of summer employment when most of them are on vacation and looking for part-time jobs.

He said DOLE's budget is the 40 percent counterpart fund for the SPES while partner agencies – like private firms and local government units, will provide 60 percent of the daily wages of the students.

Presently, Western Visayas has P265 daily regional wage rate but this still depends on the classification of the municipalities.

The students under the SPES should also be working not less than 20 days and not more than 52 days.

SPES recruitment is being assisted by the Public Employment Service Offices throughout the region.*PNA