234 students under government internship hired

SOME 234 students, mostly college and vocational graduates, started on Saturday their employment with the City Government under the expanded Government Internship Program (GIP) of the Aquino administration.

The GIP is implemented through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Francisco Barredo, head of City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), said the 234 interns, who were hired following rigid screening and interviews, will be assigned in the different offices of the City Government, especially in DSWD-related projects.

They were sworn into office by Mayor Celso Lobregat during the mass oath-taking held Saturday at the CSWDO.

The expanded GIP is part of the Aquino administration’s efforts to strengthen youth participation in nation-building, expose them to government service, train them on life skills, and contribute to their economic well-being.

The program is also open for out-of-school youths who would want to take part in nation-building.

Under the program, Lobregat said the interns will have to complete 52 days of work.

This means they may not start at the same time as long as they can complete the 52 days, Lobregat added.

They are entitled to stipend commensurate to minimum wage in the region and the funds for purpose will come from DSWD.

The DSWD will be hiring 90,865 youths nationwide with a budget allocation of more than P1.3 billion.

The DSWD still continues to implement the regular GIP for 2012 with a budget allocation of P1.8 million for the stipend of 340 youths nationwide.

The expansion of the program will allow the DSWD to reach out to more youths.