Dipolog City - DOLE Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz addressed more than Eight Hundred (800) SPES grantees and DOLE Kabuhayan starter kit beneficiaries at the City Commercial Function Hall of this City last August 15, 2014. The said activity highlighted the turn-over of the SPES Check and Livelihood Starter Kits in connection with her official visit to the province of Zamboanga del Norte. A total of P1, 495,000.00 worth of individual checks were turned over to 807 SPES beneficiaries from Provincial Government Office of Zamboanga del Norte, LGU-Dipolog City, Jose Rizal Memorial State University Dipolog Campus, Dipolog City Institute of Technology and Dipolog Shopping Center and 9 sets of welding equipment as starter kits in the amount of P6, 250.00 each, were given to Nine (9) NC II holders beneficiaries with one lady welder named Leizel R. Dagpin of Barcelona Dapitan City.

In her message, Sec. Baldoz emphasized the importance of getting the right education and right choice of career in order to match with the right job they want in the future. She encouraged everyone to visit the philjobnet website to explore employment opportunities. She also noted the impact of the SPES program to ones credential when they apply for a job. With the positive outlook in the industry among employees with SPES experience, there is a higher probability of getting hired. She had noted that among the several successful individuals today are beneficiaries of SPES program whom the DOLE categorizes as SPES babies or SPES beneficiaries who have availed of the program for at least 3 years.

Sec. Baldoz also stressed out the essence of DOLE programs and services particularly the livelihood program as one of the department's intervention to improve the quality of life among the members of the informal sector. She hopes that the provision of starter kits would stoke the fire of enthusiasm in their entire lives to achieve success. She added that before the administration of Pres. Aquino will end, there will be more lives that will be inspired, improved and uplifted from poverty and will be given the chance to live a quality lives through the measures implemented by the department. It is her utmost desire and aspiration that there will be no Filipino that will be left behind as the country experiences economic growth and development. She was thankful to the chance of being part of the meaningful activity.

The Special Program for Employment of Students aims to assist poor but deserving students pursue their education by providing them income or to augment their income through employment for a minimum of 20 days to a maximum of 52 days. A payment of 60% to be given by participating LGU, schools, and private establishment and 40% as DOLE counterpart. This program has already produced numerous successful individuals, like Ruth Quintero and Lizander Abne. Ruth Quintero was a SPES baby of St. Vincent's College and graduated Cum Laude with the degree of BS Accountancy. She is presently the auditor of Katipunan Bank, one of the prestigious banks of Zamboanga del Norte with branches in the Visayas and Mindanao region. On the other hand, Lizander Abne was a graduate of St. Joseph College with a degree in Business Administration. He was once an officer of the St. Joseph student association who received internet caf? livelihood assistance from DOLE. Through that endeavor, he developed his skill and gained knowledge that molded him to become one of the trusted officers of One Network Bank - Sindangan branch, which he is now currently working. Hence, SPES program really had a great impact to their lives, leading them to employment and successful career. Their testimonials served as an inspiration to the hundreds of students and everyone who were present during the activity.

The activity was also graced by Undersecretary Rebecca Chato, Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano, BLE Director Dominique Tutay, Director Nicon F. Fameronag, OIC-Assistant Regional Director Albert E. Gutib, DOLE ZDNFO Staff headed by OIC Ms. Aileen B. Mondejar with Local Government Officials, and PESO Managers of Zamboanga del Norte.

Reported by Megajane S. Ligutom