QuestionsQuestions (DECS ORDER NO. 8, S. 2001)
RA 7323 is an Act to help poor but deserving students pursue their education by encouraging their employment during summer and/or Christmas vacations through incentives granted to employers—allowing employers to pay only 60% of wages in cash and 40% via education vouchers paid by the government, while prohibiting and penalizing fraudulent claims.
The employer must employ at least fifty (50) persons.
Those whose parents’ combined income, together with the student’s income (if any), does not exceed P36,000 per annum.
Students must be at least 15 years old but not more than 25 years old.
Employment should be at the Labor Exchange Center of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Sixty percent (60%) is paid by the employer in cash; forty percent (40%) is paid by the Government in the form of an education voucher.
It is applicable to payment for tuition fees and books in any educational institution for secondary, tertiary, vocational, or technological education.
The government shall pay the voucher amount to the educational institution concerned within thirty (30) days from presentation to the Officer or agency designated by the Secretary of Finance.
No, it is not transferable except when the payee dies or for a justifiable cause stops in his duties; then it can be transferred to brothers or sisters. If none, the amount is paid to heirs or to the payee himself, as the case may be.
The Secretary of Labor and Employment is designated as the Project Director of the Program.
Upon conviction: imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and not more than one (1) year, and a fine of not less than P10,000. This is without prejudice to prosecution under the Revised Penal Code or other penal statutes.
The managing partner, general manager, or chief executive officer, as the case may be.
SPES shall be implemented every April to May of each year.
Students/OSY must be between 15–25; enrolled during the school year; have at least an average passing grade; dropouts intending to continue studies; and have parental net income after tax (including the applicant’s own income, if any) not exceeding P36,000 per annum.
Bio-data with 1x1 photo; three (3) copies of birth or baptismal certificate; three xerox copies of certification by the School Registrar (last enrolment and passing average grade, or class cards/Form 138); and three xerox copies of certified true copy of parents’ last ITR or municipal BIR certification showing parents earn less than P36,000, together with an affidavit of non-filing or barangay certification.
Qualified students will be paid according to the existing minimum daily wage rate under the prevailing Wage Order issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, with 60% from the employing institution/office and 40% from DOLE via Education Vouchers.
It coordinates, oversees, and monitors implementation of SPES at the national level, while Kabataan 2000 regional action officers coordinate implementation in their respective areas.