By John Michael Mugas
PGIN-CMO
The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) is opening more than a thousand slots for Ilocano out-of-school youth (OSY) and students through its two summer job programs, according to provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO).
Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, who launched the Task Force Trabaho in 2012 to aggressively bring in more jobs for Ilocanos, seeks to further develop the “soft skills” of students and OSY through these programs, saying, “While the quality of our students is undoubted, they lack work experience and the so-called “soft skills”—teamwork, resourcefulness, problem solving.”
PESO Officer-in-charge Ann Marie Lizette Bitancor revealed that the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) is set to roll out its application process beginning on February 22 up to March 4.
The SPES applicants, aged 15 to 25, should submit the following requirements at PESO located at i-Hub, Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena: four sets of SPES form, passport size picture (four pieces), photocopy of NSO Birth Certificate, grades/class cards, certification of grades, certification of school registration/official receipt.
Additional requirements are also needed for applicants whose parents are farmer or tricycle driver (barangay clearance and certificate of indigency), self-employed/private business (BIR exemption/sworn declaration) and government employees (income tax return). OSY applicants should present a certificate of good moral character as well.
Following the submission of requirements, the applicants will be shortlisted for a final screening on March 7 to 11, noted Ms. Bitancor.
She added that the first batch hired under the SPES will be deployed in different capitol offices starting April 1 while the second batch will begin on May 1.
Orientation for the first batch is set on March 30 at the Provincial Auditorium.
All throughout the years, SPES in Ilocos Norte has paved the way to the creation of more than 3,500 jobs for OSY and students since 2012.
This has drastically increased from the meager 25 beneficiaries hired in 2009 before Ms. Marcos’ administration.
Meanwhile, job opportunities will also be offered by the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO) as they have started the application process for its Paoay Kumakaway! Summer Program wherein 600 personnel will be hired.
With summer as the peak season for tourism in the province, the additional workers will assist the provincial government in serving as tourist aides, utility personnel and paramedics in the 42 tourists centers across the province, starting March until the end of the summer season.
Interested applicants, who must be at least 18 years old, may pass their résumé at the tourist center in La Tabacalera Lifestyle Center, Laoag City until March 14, said INTO
For more information, interested applicants may contact the Provincial Public Employment Service Office at 0926 708 4834 and the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office at 0917 550 0946.