ZAMBOANGA CITY — Following the latest developments in the national scene, the Department of Labor and Employment in Region 9 has started its implementation of the Government Internship Program (GIP) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Regional Directors Atty. Roy L. Buenafe of DOLE 9 and Rad Donn L. Cedeño of DA 9 formally inked the GIP Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 13, 2021 during the Regional Food Security Summit at Hotel Guillermo, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

“The partnership with DA stemmed from the gap that is noted between the available agricultural jobs and the actual number of applicants. These jobs were classified as very hard to fill. To help in filling up these jobs, agricultural professionals will be hired under the GIP so they may gain the needed training and experience to prepare them for the labor market,” said Director Buenafe.

Under the MOU, DOLE 9 is responsible for identifying and screening potential interns to be deployed to offices of the DA as well as conducting orientation on the program’s salient features. DA, on the other hand, is expected to deploy the interns to various offices where they will be properly trained on the duties and responsibilities in the field.

In Pagadian City, seven (7) interns will be deployed to DA offices and earn a minimum wage rate per day in Region 9, and the duration of their work will be for six months or 132 days.

DOLE-GIP is a program that aims to provide opportunities and engage young workers to serve in government agencies, projects and programs at the national and local levels.END