BATANGAS SPES BABY’S ROAD TO GOVERNMENT SERVICE

From a financially struggling student to a confident young professional, a former Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) beneficiary from Malvar, Batangas, has proven how the program can change lives.

Growing up, Ms. Jheelyn Lat Escamilla of Luta Del Norte, Malvar, Batangas, shared that she faced financial challenges while in school, prompting her to join the SPES to earn income and help ease her family’s burden.

“Before availing the program, I struggled financially and had a hard time supporting my school needs. That’s why I grabbed the SPES opportunity—to earn and help ease the burden while studying. I learned about the program from a friend and co-SSG member back in senior high school. He was also a SPES beneficiary in their municipality and shared his experience with me,” she narrated.

For 23-year-old Jheelyn, her SPES stint was more than just a summer job, but an experience that led her to become a better student, worker, and person.

“The program helped me financially by giving me the chance to earn while studying, which lessened the burden on my family. It also allowed me to interact with different kinds of people, supervisors, co-workers, and clients, which improved my communication and social skills. These experiences boosted my confidence and prepared me for future opportunities,” Jheelyn emphasized.

Aside from the financial aid, the SPES helped her gain exposure to public service, and she learned the value of working with sincerity and respect. “Our bosses reminded us to see it not just as a way to earn, but as a privilege to work alongside professionals and learn from them,” she recalled.

Through SPES, Jheelyn was able to have a source of income to finance her studies until she graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Communication. (Photo by J. Escamilla)

But more than these valuable experiences, Jheelyn bridged her work experience in SPES as a stepping stone to becoming a full-fledged public servant in their local government unit of Malvar, Batangas.

I am truly thankful to have been part of the SPES program, as it opened doors of opportunity for me and played a big role in my personal and professional growth. I took it as a privilege to learn more—not just to gain financial support, but to grow as a person. SPES itself can truly help determined and hardworking students by giving them the chance to develop their skills, gain real-world experience, and build a brighter future,” Jheelyn shared.

Currently, she works as an office clerk at the LGU Malvar, to which she applies all the skills and knowledge she learned not only from her degree of Bachelor of Arts in Communication but also the life-long competencies she earned during her stint as a SPES beneficiary.

Jheelyn received her DOLE counterpart salary through the money remittance center. (Photo by J. Escamilla)

Her journey stands as a testament that with hard work, perseverance, and the right opportunities, dreams can turn into reality, and that programs like SPES are not just about providing jobs, but about shaping futures.

APRIL ROSE N. MAGPANTAY

LEO III