A total of 150 students and out-of-school youth in Manila secured short-term jobs under the government’s Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).
The beneficiaries signed contracts on Monday through the city’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) for an 11-day work program, giving them extra income for daily and school expenses.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso led the deployment. He said the program supports the city’s push to address basic needs such as jobs, education, housing, and healthcare.
“Ang layunin natin… makapagbigay ng extra income, lalo na sa mga nag-aaral at out-of-school youth (Our goal is to provide extra income, especially for students and out-of-school youth),” he said.
Vice Mayor Chi Atienza said the program expands opportunities for young Manileños.
“Itong programang ito ay nagpapakita na tunay na may malasakit ang ating alkalde… importante na mabigyan ng oportunidad ang kabataan (This program shows the mayor truly cares… it is important to give opportunities to the youth),” she said.
The city also cited plans to expand access to education, including a five-story building for the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Medicine that could accommodate up to 5,000 students.
The SPES beneficiaries were deployed with support from the city’s youth sector, alongside officials from PESO, the Manila Youth Bureau, and the SK Federation.