Government Internship Program 2017 participants in the DSWD Central Office pose for a souvenir photo with Sec. Judy M. Taguiwalo at the close of their 30 days internship. The 80 GIP interns were assigned in the different offices, bureaus, services and units where they learned basic office tasks and were exposed to public service.

Around 1,400 students, college graduates and previously unemployed and out of school-youth graduates of vocational courses recently graduated from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Government Internship Program (GIP). This was after they   completed 30 days of service.

The GIP interns in the DSWD Central Office and in each of the Department’s 18 field offices went on board on April 17, and worked in the DSWD until May 31. Those deployed at the Central Office and Field Office NCR received P368 daily, while interns in the other field offices received a stipend amounting to 75% of the regional wage rate.

DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo explained that the GIP is part of the government’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.

“We want the youth to have a meaningful and productive activity during their summer vacation; for these reasons, we implemented the GIP from April to May,” Sec. Taguiwalo said.

Through the GIP,  the government is able to provide students with financial assistance which they can later use to cover school expenses.

“This way, we also impress upon them the importance of earning and spending their money wisely,” Sec. Taguiwalo added.

For the 2017 nationwide implementation, the DSWD-GIP has a fund allocation of P10,724,400 for the stipend of the interns’ 30 working days of service.

They performed actual office work and also assisted in the implementation of the numerous DSWD programs and projects. They were also able to do direct service through field work in communities where DSWD programs and projects are implemented in partnership with local government units.

Background

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 working in various government agencies.

The program enables them to learn life skills in the workplace, while earning money to augment their school needs. It is implemented during summer time when youth are on vacation. They are then available to use their  free time productively.

It is also designed to initiate the youth in the realities of public service, serve as recruitment mechanism for potential public employees, and extend possible financial assistance for the next school year enrolment.

Future public servants

Judy Ann Cerda Cabuyao or Mara as family and friends call her is one of the interns assigned at DSWD Social Marketing Service.  Her father, Virgilio Cabuyao Sr., a solo parent is a tricycle driver. Fifth among eight siblings, Mara’s three youngest siblings are covered by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Mara shared her memorable experiences during her stint at DSWD-SMS.

“Noong umpisa, wala akong ideya kung anung gagawin kong trabaho, pero sa pagdaan ng mga araw, mabilis naman akong naka-adapt at natuto (At first, I had no idea what job I would be assigned to do, but as days passed, I learned to adapt and learn).

Since Mara has background in news writing, she was assigned to write press release​s​.

“To see my article published and posted on the DSWD website is the most wonderful moment I had when I was an intern,” she enthused.

Her experience as a GIP intern inspired Mara to pursue a career in government after graduating from college.

“I found out that being a government employee is a stable and safe job. We can help contribute to our nation’s progress and development,” she expounded.

Another intern, Joyce Manabat, also shared her learning.

“I learned how to deal with people and cultivate a positive attitude. I also learned how to manage my time well by prioritizing,” she said.

“I saw that experience is the best teacher because not all things can be learned in school. Some require hands-on training and from people capable of sharing their knowledge,” she added.

“Someday I will become a teacher and I will impart all my learnings here to my future students,” she ended.

For his part, John Roby Rojo, a GIP at DSWD-NCR Social Marketing Division is taking up Bachelor of Technology major in Graphic Arts and Printing Technology at the Technological University of the Philippines-Manila.

Talking about his experiences, Roby narrated that his time as a GIP intern has been productive.

“I learned a lot of things, such as writing press releases and covering events,” Roby shared.

His most memorable experience was when he and a group of interns edited a video documentary featuring the officials and staff of NCR promoting legal adoption.

Being assigned at DSWD-NCR has inspired me to enter government service when I graduate.

“I want to work here (DSWD-NCR) as a Graphic Artist and to share my knowledge to inform and advocate by doing what I learned in school and during my GIP stint,” he added.

Roby has a message for other young people, “Even if sometimes, you do not really want the courses you take, pilitin mo na lang ‘yang mahalin (strive to love it). Maybe you may not want it now but if you put some effort, you will succeed and will find your happy place under the sun.”

Rendering community service

Meanwhile, the program benefited 80 young people in Central Visayas.

Among them are Brice T. Balunan, 18, second year Civil Engineering student of the University of Cebu and a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program; and, Venice Mae M. Rodriguez, 22, a Computer Engineering student at Salazar College of Science and Institute of Technology.

Brice narrated, “I applied in the GIP to support my education and to help my family; I want to help my younger siblings who are in Grades 11, 10, 8 and 4.”

“Every semester my parents would borrow money just to pay for my tuition,” he added.

This is the reason why he values every centavo of his earnings from being a GIP participant and encouraged other youth to wisely spend the money they earned from their stint as interns.

Working at the Accounting Section at DSWD FO VII in Cebu City, Brice learned office tasks like sorting and arranging files, and encoding.

One of his realizations is that he is proud of being a GIP participant.

“Ang DSWD motabang sa mga tawo, busa sama ra usab nga nitabang ko sa mga tawo kay nia man ko karon diri (The DSWD helps people, and since I am here at DSWD, I am also part of those who help people),” Brice explained in the Visayan dialect.

On the other hand, Venice Mae stated, “Nisulod ko sa DSWD para sa experience sa akong future nga trabahu. Mau sad ni ang usa ka pamaagi nga makatabang ko sa akong mama para ma pun-an ang pambayad sa akong school fees labi na ang tuition ug miscellaneous (I entered DSWD to gain experience for my future work.  This is also one way of helping my mother, who is the only one earning a living for our family and providing for my school expenses particularly tuition and miscellaneous fees).”

Venice Mae related that as a student, “I always have promissory notes during exams. There are times that my mother’s salary would be delayed and there are also times that her salary is not even enough to pay for my tuition,” she continued.

“I am grateful to DSWD for giving me this opportunity and for paving the way for me to continue my education,” stated Venice.

According to Venice, her stint with DSWD has helped her develop self-confidence because she has met and served different kinds of people.

“I also learned how to manage my time because whenever I am done with my assignment I will also help others finish their tasks,” shared Venice.

The GIP participants in Region VII were also assigned in the region’s satellite offices like Bohol and Siquijor which allowed them to experience and appreciate community service.###