More than 1,500 high school and college students will be hired by the city government of Valenzuela as the first batch of the city's annual Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).

Luningning Martin, chief of the city's Public Employment Service Office (PESO) said the program aims to develop to develop self-esteem and promote productivity among underprivileged youth through relevant work experiences.

Martin told the beneficiaries who received their certificates of eligibility at the Valenzuela City Astrodome that they will be given an assignment of 15 working days at a host office or company starting April 12.

Sixty percent of their salaries will be shouldered by the local government unit with the remainder to be covered by Department of labor and Employment (DoLE) as mandated by Republic Act No. 7323.