The Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) is a DOLE-initiated program offered by the Office of the Governor with the leadership of Governor Samuel T. Gumarin. This program aims to help poor but deserving students, out-of-school youth, and dependents of displaced workers to continue and finish their education. It was implemented through the Public Employment Service Office headed by Ms. Elena V. Quezon. In January of 2018, hundreds of young Guimarasnons from different barangay of five municipalities of the Province of Guimaras started to submit their applications at the Governor’s Office, wishing to become one of the beneficiaries. Series of screening and verifications were conducted to assess applicant’s qualification and to determine if they were qualified for the program.

Among the applicants, only 200 students were qualified and had attended the orientation on April 4, 2018 at Function Hall, GTIC Building. Ms. Arlyn E. Siaotong, Provincial Head of DOLE Guimaras Field Office, Vice Governor Atty. John Edward Gando, Ms. Llane Paredes, Executive Assistant III from the Governor’s Office and Mr. Kenneth Jun Eusebio, PESO focal of DOLE Guimaras Field Office also attended the said orientation which facilitated by the PESO personnel headed by Ma. Elena G. Mediana, PESO focal. Most of them were assigned at the different offices of the Provincial Government, wherein 57 beneficiaries assigned to conduct a survey regarding Labor and Skills requirement of every establishment in the five municipalities of the province.