ZAMBOANGA CITY– The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 through its Zamboanga City Field Office (ZCFO) conducted a Government Internship Program (GIP) Orientation to 200 hired Zamboangueños in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Zamboanga City headed by City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar via Zoom Teleconference last July 01, 2021.

Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe shared that GIP aims to provide young workers the opportunity to demonstrate their talents and skills in the field of public service.

“The main objective of the program is to attract the best and the brightest who want to pursue a career in the government service” Atty. Buenafe added.

Two (2) batches of orientation were held to accommodate all the participants.

During the orientation, ZCFO OIC-Head Makaraya U. Adil presented the objectives, processes and expected results of the program.

The hired interns were deployed to different government agencies in Zamboanga City for a period of 3 months which started last July 01, 2021 and will end on October 01, 2021 with a daily allowance of P316.00 as the prevailing minimum wage of the region with a 1-year coverage to GSIS Accident Insurance.

Interns were tasked to assist DOLE and its attached agencies in the implementation of their programs and services.

Franc Joseph Lopez, a fresh graduate of Civil Engineering and one of the hired interns who is currently assigned at the Office of the City Planning Development, expressed his gratitude to DOLE 9 for being part of the program, “Thankful ako sa DOLE na nasali ako sa GIP dahil dito makakapag-ipon ako sa upcoming Civil Engineering Board Exam ngayong November at sa trabahong binigay sa’kin.” Mr. Lopez said.

Trisha Mae Araneta, a graduate of Management Accounting, assigned at the City Social Welfare and Development Office expressed her heartfelt gratitude to DOLE 9 for her first time in public service.

“I am honored to be chosen as one of the GIPs especially now with the COVID-19 Pandemic it is hard to find a job. It is also my first time working at a government agency and so far, I have learned a lot that will help me in my future career.” Ms. Araneta shared.

The GIP aims to provide opportunities and engage young workers to serve the general public in government agencies/entities projects and programs at the national and local level. END