A total of 133 young workers in Occidental Mindoro were allowed to work in various government offices through the Department of Labor and Employment’s Government Internship Program (DOLE-GIP).

Under the DOLE-GIP, the hired intern-beneficiaries will work for three to six months in its partner government agencies, performing various tasks such as encoding, filing, assisting, and other administrative functions not highly technical in nature.

DOLE OccMin Provincial Director Peter James D. Cortazar emphasized in his message, “We give our young interns a chance to shine in public service. With DOLE’s help, we look for the most dedicated ones interested in joining the government service with the fulfillment of serving our fellow Filipinos through various offices,” he said.

The intern-beneficiaries were at least 18 to 30 years old, high school or technical-vocational graduates, and with no work experience, to qualify and join the internship program.

Joemari A. Lim, John Michael B. Fabul and Joven S. Viaña, all interns assigned at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), expressed their gratitude to DOLE for the opportunities given to them. They are tasked with clerical and administrative work in the office.

“We are very thankful for this opportunity. The GIP allows us to gain firsthand experiences in public service and to further enhance ourselves personally and professionally,” Mr. Lim said.

Interns will gain not only learning and experiences but also receive a daily wage of P395.00, the prevailing minimum wage in the region, and will benefit from SIS insurance coverage, protecting them in the event of work-related emergencies.

It could be recalled that before the intern’s deployment, a series of orientations was conducted from March 6-8 and March 25-26, 2023. Discussing the program’s overview, work ethics, and general labor standards.

Partner agencies include the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology; Department of Social Welfare and Development, Bureau of Treasury, Commission on Audit, Department of Interior and Local Government; local government units, and state colleges and universities.

GIP is a flagship program of DOLE designed to engage young workers in serving the public within government agencies. The qualified applicants are given the opportunity to work in different fields and learn about work ethics and professionalism, providing them with a foundation for future career growth. (DSG/DOLE)