In SPES, who is responsible for paying the wage subsidy to the employer?

• A. The student pays the subsidy.
• B. The private partner funds all subsidies.
• C. The government (DOLE) provides the wage subsidy according to guidelines; the employer pays the remainder.
• D. The LGU pays the full subsidy.

Answer: (C)

SPES is a program that helps students gain work experience during school breaks while easing employers’ wage costs. The government, through DOLE, provides a wage subsidy to eligible student workers according to established guidelines. The employer pays the remaining portion of the wage, and DOLE reimburses the subsidized part after proper requirements are met. The subsidy amount can vary by region and employment period, but the key idea is that the government covers part of the wage and the employer covers the rest.