This year, 81 beneficiaries participated in the recently concluded Government Internship Program (GIP) implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Field Office 6 (DSWD-FO6) in its regional units, provincial and municipal offices, and three centers.
The Government Internship Program (GIP) which lasted for 30 days started last April 17, 2017 and ended on May 29, 2017. The interns received a stipend amounting to 75% of the regional wage rate which is equivalent to an allowance of 224php per day, totaling to 6,720php for a month of service.
The program participants were a mix of out-of-school and in-school youths who are 18-25 years old, given that they are high school graduates.
Among the many that availed the said program, almost half of the participants were household beneficiaries of 4P’s or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, while some are youth members of PYAP or the Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines.
Not only DSWD gave priority to its beneficiaries but through the program (GIP), persons with disability (PWD’s) and selected residents from Regional Center for Women, Home for Girls and Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth were also given the chance to participate.
The GIP is one of the components of the Kabataan 2000 program of the government which provides opportunities for both out-of-school and in-school youth to get hands-on experience while working in various government agencies.
The program enables the youth to learn life skills in the workplace apart from earning some money to support their school expenses.
DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo explained that GIP is part of the sgovernment’s efforts to strengthen youth participation in nation-building, expose them to government service, train them on life skills, and contribute to their economic well-being.
Indeed, the program is designed not only to inspire the youth to pursue the path of public service but more importantly, to empower them towards active citizenship./XzyrabelleServento/DSWD-GIPparticipant/