Davao City Representative Karlo Alexei Nograles wants to expand the coverage of the government’s special employment program for students to include out-of-school youth (OSY) and children of displaced workers.

In filing House Bill 5469, Nograles said OSYs and children of laid-of workers should also be given the opportunity to continue their education through the government’s Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).

"While it is recognized that SPES as an employment bridging program has changed the lives of many Filipino youths, it cannot be denied that the implementation of the program has encountered multitude of problems, both procedural and substantial," said Nograles, the vice president for internal affairs of the National Unity Party (NUP).

Nograles, who is also the chairperson of the House labor and employment committee, noted that  "the current program covers only currently enrolled students, depriving other disadvantaged youths of pursuing their education.”

HB 5469 seeks to amend Republic Act 7323 or the SPES law, which currently provides jobs to only poor but deserving students.

Nograles said his proposal widens the scope of the current law  by stating that  “any entity or person employing at least 10 persons may employ poor but deserving students, out-of-school youths, or dependents of closures or work stoppages intending to enroll in any secondary, tertiary or technical-vocational institutions, 15 years of age but not more than 30 years old.”

His bill also states that 60 percent of the salary or wage covered by SPES shall be paid by the employers in cash.  The remaining 40 percent shall be paid by the government also in the form of cash directly to the beneficiary, or through financial institutions or other payment facilities.

The SPES beneficiary should also entitled to social security through  insurance coverage with the Government Service and Insurance Commission (GSIS) for a period of one year, Nograles said.

HB 5469  is also co-authored by Representatives Emmeline Aglipay Villar (Party List, DIWA), Florencio Flores, Jr. (2nd District, Bukidnon) and Deogracias Ramos, Jr. (2nd District, Sorsogon).