A total of 57 youths are deployed in the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office IV-A from April to May 2016 as part of the Government Internship Program (GIP).

The GIP is a component of the government’s Unlad Kabataan program and is open to 18 to 25 years old male or female youths who are at least high school graduate and whose family’s income is not more than the existing poverty threshold. This provides opportunity for out-of-school and in-school youths hands on experience on working in government agencies and for them to learn skills in the workplace while earning money to help them augment for their needs.

The interns are deployed in the regional office, provincial offices, centers and selected local government units covered by the DSWD Field Office IV-A. They are employed by the agency for a total of 22 days to perform office-related functions such as records keeping and encoding and will be provided a daily stipend of PhP272.00.

Ms. Liezl Alvarez, focal person for children and youth sector of the DSWD Field Office IV-A, shared that priority is given to members of household-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to enable them to earn income to help with their needs.

Of the 57 interns, 20 are Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.

Marvin Paner, an intern and a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary, is grateful for the opportunity provided to the youth like him.

“Marami akong matututunan dito, bukod sa makakatulong ako sa pamilya ko ngayong bakasyon, matututo ako ng mga gawain sa opisina at mas matutunan pa ang paggamit ng computer,” said Paner.

Ma. Ericka Mae Jaudian, another intern, shared that her experiences during the internship program will help improve her skills, which she can apply in her future employment.

“Natuto rin ako dito kung paano mag-manage ng oras ko at kung paano maging responsable na tapusin ang mga itinakdang gawain sa akin sa tamang oras,” Jaudian shared.

To date, the DSWD Field Office IV-A is still accepting applicants to fill the 80 slots provided to the agency for this internship program. Interested applicants may bring their birth certificate, latest school registration form and barangay certificate of indigency to this office in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.#