QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9547)
R.A. No. 9547 strengthens and expands the coverage of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), and it amends R.A. No. 7323.
The student must be at least 15 years old but not more than 25 years old.
A student qualifies if the parents’ combined income, together with the student’s own income if any, does not exceed the annual regional poverty threshold for a family of six (6) for the preceding year, as determined by NEDA.
Any person or entity employing at least ten (10) persons may participate in SPES.
Secondary students may be employed only during summer and/or Christmas vacations; tertiary/vocational/technical students may be employed at any time of the year.
Employment is from 20 to 52 working days only. During Christmas vacation, employment is from 10 to 15 days, which may be counted as part of the students’ probationary period if they apply in the same company or agency after graduation.
Students employed in activities related to their course may earn equivalent academic credits, as determined by the appropriate government agencies.
Sixty percent (60%) is paid by the employer in cash, and forty percent (40%) is paid by the government in the form of a voucher applicable to tuition fees and books.
It can be used for tuition fees and books in any educational institution for secondary, tertiary, vocational, or technical education.
LGUs may assume responsibility for paying in full the salary/wages. The amount of education vouchers (when applicable) shall be paid by government to the educational institutions within 30 days from presentation to the designated officer/agency by the Secretary of Finance.
Vouchers are not transferable except when the payee dies or stops duties for a justifiable cause, in which case it can be transferred to brothers or sisters; if none, payment goes to heirs or to the payee himself.
The Secretary of Labor and Employment serves as the Program Chairman.
Upon conviction: imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and not more than one (1) year, and a fine of not less than P10,000.00, without prejudice to prosecution for other offenses.
The managing partner, general manager, or chief executive officer (CEO), as the case may be.
The amount is authorized to be appropriated in the General Appropriations Acts for 1992 and subsequent years. Congress may not reduce it below the prior year amount; appropriations should be automatically and regularly released; and appropriations must be increased by at least 20% annually.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation, whichever comes earlier.