Today (September 14, 2023) is my last day being a SPES baby. For the last time, I woke up early in the morning, sipped warm coffee to perk me up, wore a collared shirt, then rushed to my office work at exactly 8:00. At the office, I grab the keyboard and continue my unfinished task. The cycle continues in the other half of the day.

Finally, it's time for time-out. It has been twenty rigorous days since I seized the opportunity for a special employment at our municipal seat of government, in exchange for a deserved compensation. Happily, my busy days will be done. But sadly, my work at LGU-Lasam as a SPES baby will be over—the workplace where I gained fruitful experiences and precious moments with some influential people.

I know of the suppositions of others when they hear about SPES, or Special Program of Employment for Students. It is about cleaning or community service. But wait, how was I cast into an office work?

I was called to report to the PESO office for interview, along with many student applicants. After making it in and completing the requirements, we began our first day of work on August 10, 2023. As a part of Batch 2 of this program, our tasks that time was to be involved in the ongoing Brigada Eskwela in every elementary schools within Lasam. With fellow SPES residents of Brgy. Ignacio Jurado, we were destined at our own elementary school. I had been there for three days, cleaning grounds, sweeping grasses and leaves, and gardening around the area, with my companions. This was probably the same routine of our fellow SPES members in the different schools.

I had just been newly-appointed member of the Natalged a Lasam Youth Ambassadors, whose aim is to involve youth Lasameños in the projects of the local government unit (LGU). One time, we were called for a meeting at the Mayor's Office, and after finding out that I was a SPES employee, they fortunately requested me to report to that same office as one of their assistants. And so the rest is history.

I became an all-time cooperator in Mayor Dante Dexter A. Agatep’s office; I served as an encoder, a photographer covering events and programs of the LGU, even as a field enumerator around town.

And being a Natalged Youth Ambassador, I became a co-developer of Natalged projects, most notably, the N+ Film Showing project which will be launched soon!

While I was mostly inside the office, my co-SPES workers were busy in Brigada Eskwela, mainly in Western Cagayan School of Arts and Trades and Cagayan State University. Some of them expended their entire SPES days cleaning and helping around.

I do not consider myself luckier by mostly working inside an air-conditioned office with comfy swivel chair. I was very lucky to have worked with the officials inside the Mayor's Office, especially with Ma'am Bella Lozada, Mayor Agatep’s Executive Assistant, and Sir Alfred Ursua (who asked for this report) for their never-ending guidance, supply of knowledge and experience to me while working on those Natalged projects. I also want to extend my gratitude to the ever-supportive father of our town, Mayor Dante Dexter A. Agatep, for allowing me to serve in his dearest office and making this program possible for students seeking for alternative source of income.

I also salute my fellow SPES Batch 1 and 2, who sacrificed their utmost time in working physically for the cleanliness and orderliness of our town, Lasam. I know that they have their own unique stories on why they joined and how they were benefited by this program. In a nutshell, no matter what areas we were designated, we all exerted efforts and sweats. And we should all be thankful for this DOLE program, and also how the LGU thinks about the welfare of Lasameño youths.

While to some, SPES is only about community service, they neglect the fact that it is likewise for different areas of interest, especially youth empowerment. SPES builds friendships, camaraderie, and cooperation. You only cannot see us at the scenes, but also behind the scenes.

For the last time, I will time-out carrying the rich experience and knowledge I have acquired. Again, thank you so much LGU-Lasam and DOLE. May this opportunity benefit more Lasameño youths and inspire them to contribute to a more Natalged a Lasam. #