JIMENEZ, Misamis Occidental (PIA) -- Success stories often unfold at the crossroads of ambition, opportunity, and unwavering determination, such as the inspiring stories of individuals who journey to personal growth and aspirations.   
Meet Ereca, Monace, Kenneth, Melchor, Judie, Karl, and Leslie—seven individuals whose journey began as beneficiaries of the Department of Labor and Employment's Government Internship Program (DOLE-GIP) and now find hope for being absorbed as job order personnel in the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Jimenez.

As public servants in the making, these Jimeneznon exude enthusiasm as they dig into the many hurdles in their job search.  
Kenneth Caliso, 25, from Barangay Rizal in this town, did not expect the turn of events in his life. After graduating from high school, Caliso never really had a plan to enroll in college. As the third child among five siblings, he worked for two years as a server in a computer shop in Ozamiz City until he realized the importance of going back to school.

He graduated with a BS in Information Technology from the USTP Panaon campus. He was offered to be one of the GIPs in PESO Jimenez and was absorbed as JO personnel assigned to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

To Caliso, doing what you love can help you accomplish the task efficiently. “I would like to thank DOLE and PESO for allowing me the opportunity to experience this [GIP]. It is one of the best experiences I have had in my entire life,” said Caliso.

Since most of them were fresh graduates, they shared the same story: finding a job was never an easy task. Ereca Yagao and Leslie Mingoc, from Barangays Sibaroc and Butuay, respectively, have carved a path to success both as office clerks in the Municipal Budget Office. Their inspiring journey unfolds through a transformative GIP experience from June to September 2023. 

Meanwhile, Yagao, 23, a graduate of the BSBA in Marketing Management, realized the importance of the internship program. Since it was her first job experience, she encountered challenges in terms of socialization, as she needed to learn how to adjust to a new work environment.

Her colleague, Mingoc, a graduate of the BSBA in Financial Management, said the opportunity served as her stepping stone to work in the government and be able to become an efficient employee amidst challenges. Yagao and Mingoc's resilience and adaptability honed them to become flexible. To them, the program does not just contribute to sustaining their family’s financial needs but also benefits themselves.

Judie Malinao, Karl Marlon Nini, and Melchor Lumayag have managed to solve their challenges related to adapting to office environments and managing fieldwork tasks. Among others, the three of them became friends and made new companions. They used their initiative to overcome potential obstacles by encouraging open communication among coworkers.

"Luckily, my colleague and my PESO manager were very nice and kind toward us, which made all the adjustments easy,” Lumayag said. Malinao is currently assigned to the Jimenez Municipal Economic Enterprise Development Office, while Nini and Lumayag are at the Mayor’s Office. The three of them express their sincere gratitude to DOLE for the rare opportunity to improve their job capacities, and the skills they gained through the GIP program have given them access to greater opportunities in the future. 

Lastly, Monace Joie Ligue, from Barangay Rizal, also assigned to the Mayor’s Office, takes with her the lessons she learned, the struggles she overcame, and her gratitude for the transforming experience obtained through the internship program. Ligue and her former co-interns described their path as an example of striving individuals, reminding them that with determination and gratitude, the opportunities for growth and success are boundless. 

Through PESO Manager Arnulfo Guimalan Jr., the former GIPs turned job order personnel expressed their gratitude to Jimenez Municipal Mayor Joselito "Jojo" Chiong for believing in their abilities and including them in the municipality's workforce.

DOLE Misamis Occidental Provincial Field Office Chief Ebba Borbon-Acosta reiterates the department's commitment to uplifting the lives of young individuals through meaningful opportunities like the GIP. (DOLE MisOcc/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)