In the Philippines, youth unemployment and the difficulty of transiting from school to work has been a persistent and significant problem. Thus, the government and policymakers have identified policies and programs which can increase the probability of finding work for these jobless youth and raise their productivity. The Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) is one of the government’s interventions promoting youth employment. The SPES Program, as provided for by R.A.7323, and as amended by R.A.9547 and further amended by R.A.10917, aims to help poor but deserving students finish their studies by giving them employment opportunities during their school breaks. 

The Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) is an initiative by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Its goal is to offer job opportunities to students looking to earn money during their summer break. SPES is designed to assist students from low-income families in funding their education while also gaining valuable work experience.