The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) works closely with other government agencies. Among them is the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which is tasked to formulate job-related policies, as well as implement programs and services like the Government Internship Program (GIP).
In this article, we will discuss the GIP — its objectives and benefits, along with the qualifications and documents required. If you are a Filipino aged 18-30 years old, at least a high school or a Tech-Voc graduate, you might want to consider applying for this program!
What is the Government Internship Program?
What exactly is the Government Internship Program or GIP? The program is a component of “Kabataan 2000” under Executive Order No. 139 S. 1993, and DOLE Administrative Order No. 260-15. It seeks to provide opportunities and engage young workers to serve the general public in government agencies/entities, projects, and programs at the national and local levels.
Objectives of the Program
First of all, the Government Internship Program aims to provide young workers, particularly the poor/indigent, with opportunities to demonstrate their talents and skills in the field of public service. It also seeks to attract “the best and the brightest” who would like to pursue a career in government service, specifically in the fields and disciplines related to labor and employment.
Secondly, the program aims to fast-track the implementation and monitoring of DOLE programs that are related to employment facilitation and social protection. These programs directly contribute to the goal of inclusive growth through the means of massive employment generation and substantial poverty reduction.
Benefits of the Program
Each program beneficiary can expect to receive:
- Allowance or stipend equivalent to 75% of the prevailing wage in the region;
- Accident insurance coverage for one (1) year with GSIS; and
- Certificate of Completion issued by the DOLE Regional Office upon completion of the term.
Qualifications
To qualify for the program, applicants must:
- Be at least high school graduate or Tech-Voc graduate;
- Be between 18 to 30 years old;
- Have no work experience; and
- Belong to a household whose monthly income does not exceed PHP 13,797, which is the current poverty threshold.
NOTE: Applicants up to 35 years old may be considered under exceptional circumstances, particularly in areas that are affected by disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and man-made calamities.
Requirements
When applying for the program, applicants must submit their:
- Transcript of Records (for college students) or Form 137 (for high school graduates); or
- Certificate of Graduation in case of Tech-Voc graduates; and
- Certificate of Indigency from their respective Barangay.
Conditions of the Program
As for the conditions of the program, these are as follows:
- Interns will receive a stipend equal to 75% of the existing wage rate in the region;
- The employment period will be for a minimum of three (3) to a maximum of six (6) months, depending on the case; and
- Interns may be re-admitted for another period of six (6) months, upon recommendation of the partner institution.
NOTE: Recommendations for re-admission of interns must have: (a) performance rating or evaluation of intern; (b) needed skills of the intern for enhancement; and (c) intent to hire the intern as a contractual, temporary, or regular employee — depending on the willingness of the intern and applicable Civil Service rules and regulations.
Latest Updates
As of this writing (10 May 2024), the DSWD is still accepting applicants for the Government Internship Program. The announcement was made by DSWD Asst. Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Irene Dumlao, based on a DSWD press release.
“As an integral part of the Kabataan 2000 program initiated by the Philippine government, GIP offers young individuals an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience within various government agencies,” Asst. Sec. Dumlao stated.
According to the Asst. Secretary, a total of 75 slots are available for each DSWD Field Office across the country. Meanwhile, 35 slots will be accommodated at the DSWD Central Office in Batasan, Quezon City.
“GIP participants assigned to the DSWD Central Office will engage in tasks such as encoding, report writing, and assisting in the implementation of key programs,” Asst. Sec. Dumlao said. “Those stationed at Field Offices will support their respective local government units with similar responsibilities.”
Notably, between 2017 and 2023, around 6,710 young people joined the program, providing them with practical exposure and a deeper understanding of public service.
Video: A GIP Intern’s Success Story
In this video, Glesie Rodriguez talks about her experience as an intern under the Government Internship Program. This video was shared by DOLE Cagayan de Oro City Field Office on Facebook:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here are some commonly asked questions about the Government Internship Program:
1. What is the Government Internship Program?
The Government Internship Program (GIP) is a government initiative that aims to provide opportunities for young workers to engage in public service work.
2. What are its benefits?
Among the benefits of the program are: (a) allowance or stipend equal to 75% of the prevailing wage in the region; (b) accident insurance coverage for one year with GSIS; and (c) Certificate of Completion issued by DOLE upon finishing the program.
3. What are the qualifications required?
To qualify for the GIP, an applicant must: (a) be at least a high school or Tech-Voc graduate; (b) be 18 to 30 years old; (c) have no work experience; and (d) belong to a household whose income does not exceed the current poverty threshold.
4. What are the required documents?
To apply for the GIP, applicants must submit: (a) TOR for college or Form 137 for high school students; (b) Certificate of Graduation for Tech-Voc graduates; and (c) Certificate of Indigency from the Barangay.
5. How can I learn more about it?
You can learn more about the Government Internship Program by getting in touch with the nearest DOLE Office in your area.
Contact Information: Department of Labor and Employment
Below are the contact details for the DOLE Central Office. Please note that the office is open between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, from Mondays to Fridays (except during holidays).
Address: DOLE Building, Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone: 02 8527 3559
Website: https://www.dole.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laborandemploymentph/
Google Map:
Infographic
Meanwhile, here is an infographic about the GIP, featuring basic details about the program:
Final Thoughts
For young people ages 18 to 30 years old, the Government Internship Program (GIP) offers a great opportunity to involve in public service. Through this program, not only will they earn money, but also gain plenty of experience that will help them in their future careers.
Aside from the GIP, another job-related government initiative is Job Network Services (JNS). Implemented by the DSWD, this service caters to persons in crisis. Check out this article to learn more about it!