ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 20, 2022– Some 120 government interns took their oath of office under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Government Internship Program (GIP) on June 14, 2022 at the Grand Astoria Hotel in Zamboanga City.

This after the interns passed the documentary review of their application requirements submitted to DOLE 9 via recently held job fairs and email.

“The GIP aims to provide opportunities for young workers, particularly the poor or indigent, to demonstrate their skills in the field of public service with the ultimate goal of attracting the best and the brightest who want to pursue a career in government service,” shared Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, DOLE 9 Regional Director.

He added that these newly hired interns will be engaged for a minimum internship period of three months starting June 16, 2022 where they receive a stipend equivalent to 100 percent of the applicable minimum salary rate in the region.

“Although everyone is welcome to apply, we prefer those with civil service eligibility since the ultimate goal of this program is to have interns be absorbed as regular workers of the agency they are deployed to,” said Atty. Buenafe.

To give interns a dynamic and varied internship experience, the Labor Department entered into a memorandum of agreement with 35 national government agencies who will serve as their primary employers. As GIP partner agencies, they are expected to engage interns into public service by involving them in government programs, projects and services.

During the one-day orientation, Ms. Annie Rose Pajulas, GIP Regional Focal person, oriented the interns on the program features and their roles and responsibilities. An open forum was also conducted to give interns the opportunity to air questions or concerns.

DOLE Zamboanga City Field Office (ZCFO) OIC Head Makaraya U. Adil addressed the interns in his closing remarks, “You are fortunate enough to be selected out of the hundred, if not thousands, of applicants. Do your best in your tasks and assignments and show enthusiasm, interest, and commitment in your work. This is a form of training for you to gain experience in government service.”

April Jane Soriano, one of the many interns hired, expressed her gratitude to DOLE, “I graduated last year [2021] and gained clerical work experience in the private sector. I’m confident that I can bring this experience to the internship. I am very thankful to DOLE for allowing me this opportunity to grow as a professional. I am looking forward to learning a lot from this internship.” END