SPES GRANT AIDS STUDENT FUND EDUCATION, SECURES CAREER ENTRY AT PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY

Before becoming a beneficiary of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), 23-year-old Janine Denise M. Magnaye faced financial limitations as her parents' income was insufficient to cover daily household and educational expenses. 

During her journey in college, Janine experienced financial hardships, trying to make ends meet, requiring her to strictly budget her allowances across the week. 

Ms. Janine Denise M. Magnaye, 23 years old from Tubuan, Lemery Batangas (Photo: Contributed/Official Documentation)

"Tulad ng marami sa atin, bago ako maging benepisyaryo ng programang ito, ako ay nakaranas ng kakulangan sa pinansyal sapagkat hindi sumasapat ang kita ng aking mga magulang upang matustusan ang aming pang araw-araw na pangangailangan, lalo na sa aming pag aaral," Magnaye shared. 

Seeking various government youth employment programs through social media platforms, Magnaye inquired and submitted her application documents to the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in Lemery, Batangas.

Her inquiry led her to eventually securing a slot in the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES -  an employment facilitation program that provides students and out-of-school youth with income and hands-on work experience during school breaks) . Driven by a desire to ease her family's financial burden, she decided to join SPES during her school break.

From June 17, 2025, to July 14, 2025, Magnaye completed her 20-day work deployment at the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) in Lemery. 

During her 20-day work stint, she performed designated office tasks, practiced self-discipline, and developed interpersonal relationships while serving local constituents. 

Ms. Janine Denise M. Magnaye during her time under SPES Program (Photo: Contributed/Official Documentation)

To support underprivileged youth and students, this program directly reinforces DOLE Secretary Francis N. Tolentino's agenda of combining financial relief with practical work experience to bridge education and employment. Under Secretary Tolentino's guidance, the department continues to strengthen youth employment initiatives to build practical skills, strong work ethics, and career readiness among young Batangueños. 

"Ang pagiging benepisyaryo ng programang ito ay may kalakip na financial support kung kaya nakatulong ito sa akin upang magkaroon ako ng kita habang bakasyon sa pag aaral. Naging daan ito upang magkaroon ako ng pagkakataon na matulungan sa gastusin ang aking mga magulang, at the same time ay makalinang ng panibagong karanasan sa pagtatrabaho sa pamahalaan," Magnaye explained. 

Ms. Janine Denise M. Magnaye on her professional career in PSA Batangas (Photo: Contributed/Official Documentation)

Following her participation in SPES, Magnaye secured employment as an Office Clerk providing clerical support at the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) - Batangas office. 

“Malaking tulong ang programang ito sa aking trabaho ngayon naging advantage sa akin na mayroon na akong napasukang opisina, kung kaya nagkaroon sila ng tiwala sa akin na kaya kong maging mabuti at tapat na tagapaglingkod rin sa kanilang opisina,” noting that her prior exposure to a public office during her SPES deployment served as an advantage during the hiring process, establishing employer trust in her capacity to perform administrative duties. 

Magnaye's success story highlights the department's ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and educational assistance. 

Through the continued implementation of SPES, DOLE remains dedicated to helping students fund their education while gaining essential workplace experience for future employment. 

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