About 1,000 students in Negros Oriental will be employed this summer under the Special Program for the Employment of Students, deputy provincial head Vivencio Lagahid of the Department of Labor and Employment said yesterday.

He said 21 local government units, private schools and business entities in the province have committed to accept student workers under the SPEs. Under the program, student-employees will work from 20 to 45 days, depending on the accepting entity, and will receive a minimum wage of P237 for those working in private establishments.

The compensation of those accepted by LGUs will depend on the salary scheme of the locality, Lagahid said, adding that 40 percent of their compensation will be shouldered by the DOLE, while the acceptor will pay 60 percent. Lagahid said the program is open to students aged 15 to 25, who will start working April 5 until the first week of june.

This year’s acceptor of SPEs are the cities of Canlaon, Bais, Tanjay, Dumaguete and Bayawan, and the towns of Vallahermoso, La Libertad, Ayungon, Mabinay, Amlan, Sibulan, Valencia, Siaton, Sta. Catalina and Basay.

Participants from the private school sector are Saint Paul University, and other entities include the Cang’s Inc. Holy Child Hospital and the Energy Development Corp. Kagahid said the program, mandated by Republic Act 7323 as amended by Republic Act 9547, is designed to help students, especially those from poverty-stricken families, earn something for the opening of classes in June.