SPES logo SPES Online Department of Labor and Employment
Special Program for Employment of Students logo
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT · REGION IISpecial Program for Employment of Students
DOLE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

Learn. Work. Grow.

Explore the SPES program, check the basic requirements, and connect with your local PESO.

Contact your PESO →Learn about SPES
SPES IN FOCUSWork experience today. Education and opportunity tomorrow.

Qualified students and out-of-school youth may gain temporary work experience and income under current program rules.

Read about the program ↗
01
Education supportTemporary employment helps augment family income.
02
Work exposureGain practical workplace experience and discipline.
03
Local accessApplications are facilitated through PESOs and DOLE offices.
04
Protected engagementProgram rules cover pay, duration and insurance.
LATEST FROM SPES ONLINE

Updates, reminders, and stories.

Stay informed about program announcements, schedules, helpful guides, and community stories published by the portal administrator.

Live public information
ABOUT THE PROGRAM

What is SPES?

SPES is an employment-bridging program of the Department of Labor and Employment for poor but deserving students, out-of-school youth, and qualified dependents of displaced or would-be displaced workers who intend to pursue their education.

i

This page is a client guide. Final qualification, documentary requirements, schedules and available slots are determined by the implementing PESO/DOLE office under current rules.

PURPOSE

Bridge education and employment.

The program is designed to help beneficiaries earn income for education-related needs while gaining meaningful workplace exposure.

WHEN

Flexible implementation

Secondary students are generally engaged during summer and/or Christmas vacation, while qualified tertiary, technical-vocational and OSY beneficiaries may be engaged at other times of the year.

WHERE

Near your community

Participating government offices, local government units and private employers may provide placements coordinated through PESO and DOLE.

WHO MAY QUALIFY

Start with these basic eligibility checks.

Meeting the basic conditions allows your application to be evaluated; it does not by itself guarantee a SPES slot.

01
15–30

Age requirement

Applicant is at least 15 years old but not more than 30 years old at the time of application.

02
EDU

Education status

Students intending to continue their education, qualified out-of-school youth, and certain dependents of displaced workers may be covered.

03
GWA

Passing grades

Student applicants should have obtained a passing general weighted average or equivalent in the last school year or term attended.

04
₱

Income threshold

The combined net income after tax of the parents, including the applicant's own income if any, must not exceed the applicable regional poverty threshold.

05
OSY

OSY certification

Out-of-school youth applicants may be required to present certification from the local Social Welfare and Development Office.

06
?

Not sure if you qualify?

Bring your available records to your local PESO. They can verify the current requirements and guide you before formal submission.

Where to inquire →
CLIENT CHECKLIST

Information and documents to prepare.

Prepare clear and readable copies. Your local PESO may request additional documents depending on your applicant category and current implementation guidelines.

TIP Keep one complete personal copy.

Bring originals when requested for verification, but submit only the copies or forms required by your implementing office.

✓

Proof of identity and age

Birth certificate, government-issued ID, or another official document accepted by the implementing office showing your date of birth/age.

✓

School or education record

Enrollment/registration record and proof of passing grades, such as a registrar certification, report card, class card, Form 138 or equivalent accepted record.

✓

Income or economic-status document

Current income tax return or another certification/document accepted by the PESO to establish that the household meets the applicable income threshold.

✓

OSY / displacement supporting record, when applicable

OSY certification from the local SWDO and/or relevant supporting proof if applying as a dependent of a displaced or would-be displaced worker.

✓

Current contact and personal information

Complete name, birth date, residential address, mobile number, email address, school/course or grade level, parent/guardian information and emergency contact.

✓

SPES application and local forms

Accomplish the official SPES application form and any additional consent, undertaking or local intake form issued by your PESO/DOLE office.

EMPLOYMENT PERIOD

20 to 78 working days

Under the amended SPES law, the normal engagement period may range from 20 to 78 working days. During Christmas vacation, the period is generally 10 to 15 days.

*Actual engagement length depends on the approved implementation and available placement.
PAYMENT SHARING

Employer + DOLE

As a general rule, the employer pays 60% of the applicable wage or hiring rate and DOLE shoulders the remaining 40%, subject to special rules for qualified low-income LGUs.

60%Employer share
40%DOLE share
BENEFICIARY PROTECTION

Work experience with safeguards.

  • Pay not lower than the applicable minimum wage or government hiring rate.
  • Group personal accident insurance coverage under program rules.
  • Related work may qualify for academic, practicum or OJT credit when recognized by the proper institution/agency.
HOW TO APPLY

Your SPES journey, step by step.

The exact workflow can vary by PESO, but applicants will generally go through these stages.

1

Coordinate with PESO

Visit or contact your local PESO. Authorized PESO staff will encode your basic applicant information in the portal.

2

PESO screening

Your selected PESO reviews the basic profile, eligibility and available program slots.

3

Verify requirements

Bring or present supporting records only when requested by the PESO. No document upload is required in this portal.

4

Qualify & place

Qualified applicants may be matched to an approved SPES establishment or government placement.

5

Work & payroll

Complete the approved work period, attendance and terminal payroll requirements with the employer/PESO.

6

DOLE share release

The DOLE share proceeds through verification, voucher and disbursement processing before release.

PERSONAL DATA TO HAVE READY

Save time by preparing these details before intake.

These are common data points needed to evaluate and process an application. The official form used by your PESO remains controlling.

Personal Full legal nameDate of birth / ageSex and civil status, if askedComplete residential addressMobile number and email
Education School nameGrade/year levelCourse/program, if applicableLast term attendedGWA / passing grade information
Household Parent/guardian namesOccupation/employment statusHousehold income detailsDisplacement information, if applicableEmergency contact
Application Applicant categoryOSY certification details, if applicablePreferred location/availabilityValid identification referencesConsent/signature requirements
FOR EMPLOYERS & CO-PARTNERS

Help young people build workplace experience.

Qualified public and private employers can coordinate with DOLE/PESO to participate in SPES, identify suitable work assignments, supervise beneficiaries and comply with program documentation and payment requirements.

Coordinate with DOLE/PESO
01

Coordinate and pledgeConfirm program participation, available positions and approved number of beneficiaries.

02

Provide suitable workAssign safe and appropriate tasks, supervision, attendance monitoring and workplace orientation.

03

Pay employer shareComply with the applicable wage/hiring-rate rules and employer share under the SPES arrangement.

04

Complete reportsSubmit required employment contracts, placement, payroll, terminal and other implementation documents.

WHERE TO APPLY / INQUIRE

Start with the PESO that has jurisdiction over your residence.

For Cagayan Valley clients, your local PESO can coordinate with the appropriate DOLE Regional or Field Office.

RO

DOLE Regional Office No. 02

Regional program coordination and technical oversight.

Regional Office No. 02Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan078-844-0044ro2@dole.gov.ph
Applicant reminder

Application schedules, document cutoffs and available slots may differ by city/municipality and implementing office.

View official BLE SPES page ↗
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common client questions.

If your situation is not covered below, your local PESO is the best place to confirm the current program rule.

Can I apply if I am not currently enrolled?

Qualified out-of-school youth may be covered, subject to the program's requirements, including the appropriate OSY certification and intent to pursue education.

Does submitting complete requirements guarantee employment?

No. Applications still undergo evaluation and placement depends on qualification, available program funds/slots, participating employers and the implementing office's schedule.

Where do I submit my application?

Applicants should generally apply through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) having jurisdiction over their residence, or follow the specific instructions announced by the relevant DOLE/PESO office.

How long can a SPES beneficiary work?

The amended law provides an employment period of 20 to 78 working days, except during Christmas vacation when the engagement is generally 10 to 15 days.

Who pays the SPES beneficiary?

As a general rule, the employer shoulders 60% of the applicable wage/hiring rate and DOLE shoulders 40%. Special sharing rules may apply to qualified low-income LGUs.

Is the account registration on this website for student applicants?

Applicant records are encoded only by authorized PESO or DOLE Field Office users. No supporting document upload is required in this portal; the assigned Field Office handles screening and verification. System Account Registration is only for authorized PESO and DOLE focal users.

AUTHORIZED SYSTEM USERS

PESO and DOLE focal staff portal

Authorized users can sign in to the secure SPES Online workspace. New PESO, Field Office Focal and Regional Focal accounts require Administrator approval before access is activated.

Staff sign in → Request system account Applicant intake is available through “Apply for SPES.” System account registration remains for authorized staff only.