The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) today provided updates on the implementation of its Government Internship Program (GIP) for the year.

Taking into great consideration the safety and protection of the youth from the threat of COVID-19, the Department announced that it has decided to postpone the GIP for 2020.

GIP is a component of the Kabataan 2000 program of the government which was developed to provide an opportunity for both out-of-school and in-school youth with hands-on experience of working in different government agencies. The experience introduces the youth to public service which can later help them as they eventually join the workforce.

DSWD explained that the decision to postpone the internship program was recommended by the DSWD Central Office GIP-Technical Working Group in line with the declaration of the state of public health emergency in the country and with the Department’s preventive measures to control the spread of the disease.

DSWD emphasized that it upholds the right to participation and self-development of the youth, but it is also deeply concerned with the health of the GIP participants. The postponement will ensure the safety and protection of the Department’s personnel and the youth interns, who are among the vulnerable groups.

The GIP is open to individuals who are 18-25 years old, high school graduates or TESDA Certificate holders or Alternative Learning System certificate holders or holders of any similar certificate issued by the Department of Education or Commission on Higher Education. Members of the Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP), youth beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and youth included in the Listahanan identified poor family are also prioritized in the program.

DSWD also considers the family income of the participating youth, which must not be more than the existing poverty threshold.

The GIP is implemented in the DSWD Central Office and all its Regional Offices. Under the program, the Department provides the qualified youth with a daily stipend for 30 days amounting to 75% of the regional wage rate.

Over the years, the program has helped the youth gain useful experience in public service and learn the value of earning from the fruits of their hard work. ###