Bohol reinforced its commitment to inclusive growth and human capital development, highlighting the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) and other employment facilitation initiatives in the May 8, 2026, episode of The Capitol Reports, held at the Ceremonial Hall of the Provincial Capitol.
The discussion focused on strengthening youth employment opportunities by bridging education and sustainable work through financial assistance, career development programs, and protection against illegal recruitment in support of the province’s Strategic Governance Roadmap.
The episode underscored the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), through Bohol Employment & Placement Office–Public Employment Service Office (BEPO-PESO), continued efforts to build a globally competitive and resilient Boholano workforce through accessible, inclusive, and future-ready employment programs under the leadership of Gov. Aris Aumentado.
Leading the discussion were Maria Vilma Yorong, Provincial PESO Manager; Chikki Tagupa, Division Head of Labor Market Information; and Ma. Doreen Fullido, Division Head of Job Referral and Placement of BEPO-PESO.
Yorong emphasized that SPES remains a vital support mechanism for poor but deserving students, noting that beneficiaries are not limited to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members as long as Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) requirements are met.
She added that program funding is shared, with 60 percent from PGBh and 40 percent from DOLE, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to prioritize qualified beneficiaries.
Tagupa explained that applicants who are not initially accepted may reapply in succeeding cycles if they remain qualified.
She also noted that SPES beneficiaries are required to complete a 20-working-day service period.
Fullido noted that SPES is primarily intended for students during summer or school breaks, while separate programs are available for out-of-school youth (OSY) depending on eligibility and allocation.
Yorong highlighted the increasing impact of automation and artificial intelligence on employment trends, emphasizing the need for adaptive workforce programs aligned with emerging labor market demands.
She identified key in-demand sectors in Bohol, including Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM), freelancing and work-from-home opportunities, tourism and hospitality, healthcare services, green jobs, agricultural modernization, and creative industries.
To support these sectors, BEPO-PESO continues its partnership with TESDA for scholarship programs and coordinates with the Bohol Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (BEDIPO) for school roadshows and career awareness campaigns.
Monthly overseas recruitment activities are likewise conducted, with assurance that all national agencies are accredited by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and local agencies are registered under the DOLE PhilJobNet system.
Yorong reaffirmed the province’s commitment to maintaining Bohol as an “Illegal Recruitment-Free Province,” citing BEPO-PESO’s recognition as a Bayanihan Service Awardee during the pandemic for its efforts in safeguarding workers from unauthorized recruitment activities.
She also reported that around 2,000 student beneficiaries are currently engaged in the program, with salaries released within one month after processing.
Fullido encouraged the public to follow BEPO-PESO’s official social media pages for updates, while Tagupa emphasized the importance of continuously expanding opportunities for job-seeking Boholanos.
Yorong expressed appreciation for the continued support of the administration and also invited the public to check BEPO-PESO’s recent posting on the JobStart Program (JSP), an initiative of DOLE in partnership with PGBh through BEPO-PESO.
The program aims to prepare Boholano youth for employment by providing career coaching, life skills training, technical training, and internships with JSP partner-employers.
The episode concluded with a unified message that through sustained government intervention, strengthened youth employment programs, and multi-sectoral collaboration, inclusive and future-ready employment pathways in the UNESCO Global Geopark could be advanced. (PIMO/MFM)
