A total of 181 college students from three local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental received a total of PHP847,248 in salary share from the Department of Labor and Employment-Special Program for Employment of Students (DOLE-SPES) on Friday.

The payout of wages was held during the opening activity of the 2026 Trabaho Agad Job Fair in celebration of the 128th Philippine Independence Day at SM City Bacolod.

In her message, DOLE-Negros Occidental Officer-in-Charge Gretchen Pasiolan said the release of the agency’s share for the SPES wages is part of its continuing commitment to employment generation, social protection, livelihood support and inclusive development.

“These also demonstrate that government services are most effective when delivered through strong partnerships and shared commitment,” she added.

The DOLE-SPES provides temporary employment opportunities to poor but deserving students, out-of-school youth and dependents of displaced or low-income workers during summer vacations.

Public sector employers hire students and out-of-school youths as temporary employees and pay 60 percent of their salaries, while the DOLE covers the remaining 40 percent.

Of the beneficiaries from the three LGUs, 93 from Silay City received PHP4,601.84 each as the DOLE 40 percent counterpart, totaling PHP847,248.88.

The 60 beneficiaries from Don Salvador Benedicto also got PHP4,601.84 each for a total of PHP276,110.40.

Cadiz City’s 28 SPES received PHP5,112.12 each, totaling PHP143,167.36.

Jerrione de Gracia, 21, a third year Nursing student at Riverside College, is among the beneficiaries from Silay City.

He said that he will use the amount he received from the DOLE-SPES for his school expenses for the coming school year.

“This will be used for miscellaneous fees, uniforms and other school supplies,” he added. (PNA)