ABUCAY, Bataan -- Some 56 interns from different parts of Bataan province recently underwent an assessment under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE)’s Government Internship Program (GIP).
The event, held at the Las Marianas Café, is the culminating activity for the youth interns as they concluded their stint as interns in government service.
In addition, the event coincided with the labor agency’s observance of the Children’s Month Celebration anchoring the theme “Isulong Tamang Pag-aaruga Para sa Lahat ng Bata.”
DOLE Central Luzon Director Zenaida Angara-Campita reported to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III that the youth interns were assessed based on their government work-related experience.
“We have deployed our DOLE GIP interns in different government offices in the province. By doing so, they were able to enhance their values and work appreciation, develop camaraderie with their fellow interns and the people they worked with, and developed various good practices,” RD Campita, explained.
DOLE Bataan Field Office head Leilani Reynoso, in her welcome and opening message, emphasized the importance of having a good workplace relationship.
“This is the very first time that we have organized this kind of activity, we hope that in your 3 to 6 months experience working for government gave you deep understanding and appreciation of what public service truly means; it is not monetary benefits alone, rather, it is putting your hearts and giving your best in everything you do to serve the welfare of our clients,” Reynoso said.
Senior Labor and Employment Officer (LEO) Eloisa Mercado and Administrative Staff Mary Ann Rivera facilitated the GIP assessment by providing a lecture on Structured Learning Experience (SLE).
All youth interns were engaged to participate in various workshops that allowed them to exercise critical thinking, management, and judgment based on their experience working for government.
Meanwhile, LEO III Arah Sumang underscored Republic Act (R.A.) 9231, “an act providing for the elimination of the worst forms of Child Labor and affording stronger protection for the working child.”
In her presentation, Sumang emphasized the importance of youth participation in helping the country achieve its vision to be a “Child Labor- Free Philippines.”
Lastly, Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) manager Melchor Cui shared the success stories of their former DOLE GIP interns Rui Soriano and Jingky Recio.
“Just like you all, both Rui and Jingky were immersed as interns at the Provincial PESO and like you all, they have gain knowledge, wisdom, and awareness of how it is to work for a government office,” Cui said.
“Today, both of them are reaping the fruits of their hard work and are now working for the DOLE as technical personnel. Like them, we are hopeful that your gained experience as DOLE GIP interns will bring you to greater success,” he added.
The DOLE-GIP aims to provide marginalized young-workers opportunity to demonstrate their talents and skills in the field of public service, particularly in areas of labor and employment.
During their stint as interns, of them will have a stipend or allowance equivalent to 75 percent of the region’s prevailing daily minimum wage rate. (Jerry Borja)