This summer, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) selected and deployed 1,440 youths under the Government Internship Program (GIP) for out- of- school, undergraduates, and graduates  who are unemployed.

The DSWD-Central Office  and the 18 Field Offices nationwide accommodated 80 GIP interns for 22 working days, with stipend that is based on 75% of the prevailing regional wage rate.

GIP interns at the Central Office and National Capital Region (NCR) will receive P350 daily.

The GIP is one of the services offered for young people under the Unlad Kabataan Program (UKP) of the DSWD. The UKP is geared towards the total development of disadvantaged youth in terms of spiritual, economic, physical, psychological, cultural and social development.

The GIP is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen youth participation in nation-building by exposing them to government service and training them on life skills.

It also serves as recruitment mechanism for potential public employees, and provides financial assistance for school enrolment.

“We want the youth to have a meaningful and productive activity during their summer vacation at the same time earning,  hence, we are implementing the GIP from April to May,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said.

The GIP program this year started on April 18 and will end on May 17.

During the selection phase, DSWD prioritized GIP interns who were 18 to 25 years old, in-school members of the Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP), and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries.

The interns will perform not only actual office work but will also assist in the implementation of DSWD programs and projects. They may also do direct service through field work in communities where DSWD programs and projects are implemented in partnership with local government units.

Memorable experience

During the orientation on April 18 at the Central Office, a former intern from last year shared her learnings and experiences.

Jeselle Entatano, 20, from Marikina and studying at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Human Resource was assigned at the KapitBisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) National Program Management Office.

She shared, “My GIP days were memorable. No matter how hard or difficult my task was, I was able to do it because the employees and other interns were supportive and cooperative.”

“I learned to deal with different people, develop my skills, and work professionally.  I also learned to value humility, obedience, and integrity,” Jeselle added.

Meanwhile, this year’s interns said they joined the program because they wanted to earn some money to support their studies, as well as have some experience working in government offices.

Among this year’s batch of interns at DSWD Central Office is  Ross Tristan A. Flores, 20,  from San Mateo, Rizal.

Ross is an incoming fourth year college student at San Mateo Municipal College taking up Bachelor of Arts in English. His fluency in the language was evident in his insightful responses during the interview.

He narrated that prior to his application for the DSWD internship, he has made the rounds of government agencies looking for a job.

Despite his verbal proficiency in the English language, he did not apply in a call center.

Ross pointed out, “I do not see myself working in a call center, although the pay is higher. I’d rather be in public service where I could interact with the less fortunate people. This is why I chose to apply at DSWD.”

Like Ross, one intern who is a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary also expressed her positive thoughts on her participation to the GIP.

Anabelle E. Engraba, 19, from Mandaluyong City, taking up Human Resource Development Management at Rizal Technological University, and whose family is a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary since 2012, stated that she wanted to learn new things and gain experience.

“DSWD employees are busy with their work yet they willingly share their knowledge. I learned a lot of things from them,” she said.

Anabelle is a scholar under the Students Grant-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (SG-PPA), a scholarship program for children of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries,  which helps finance her tuition and other expenses while pursuing her course.

Sec. Soliman expressed optimism that with more youths recognizing the importance of public service, as a result of their participation to the internship, the government can expect younger and more dynamic workforce in the future, which is essential in achieving a new paradigm for service delivery.  ###