More than two thousand out-of-school-youths and students of Tacloban City and Leyte took the opportunity to be able to participate in the government’s nation – building program, via the Expanded Government Internship Program of the DSWD, which offers some 7,634 job placements regionwide.

Starting yesterday, April 24, the DSWD Field Office Eight under the leadership of Regional Director Leticia Diokno, conducted a two-day screening of applicants and orientation on the program, at the PANTAWID PAMILYA Operations Office at the second floor of Prudential Bank Building in Tacloban City. Director Diokno revealed that a total of more than one hundred million pesos had been earmarked for the program in Region Eight alone.

For Tacloban City and Leyte, the available slots reach to more than one thousand and eight hundred pesos. At the national level, the DSWD seeks some 90, 869 government interns from among the youths, with a budget of Php 1. 3 B !

Operations Division Chief , Virginia Idano, of the DSWD Field Office Eight reported that those who will be able to participate, will enjoy the minimum wage of Php 253.00 daily, and work for a maximum of 52 days.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development or DSWD announced on Friday, April 20 that they will be accepting applicants for their Expanded Government Internship Program (GIP). The GIP is also open for out-of-school youths who would want to take part in nation-building. An estimated number 90,865 youths nationwide will be hired, with a budget allocation of more than P1.3 billion.

The 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 according to the DSWD.

Applicants for the GIP should be between 18 to 30 years old.   Interested applicants can go to the nearest DSWD office nationwide to submit their applications together with a photocopy of their birth certificates.

Under the said internship program, qualified applicants may start work immediately and has to complete 52 days of work.  This means that applicants may not start at the same time as long as they can complete the 52 days.

The qualified applicants can be assigned in the central office, or in the various field offices including centers/institutions. Interns will be asked to perform not only actual office work but also assist in the implementation of the numerous DSWD programs and projects. They may also do direct service through field work in communities where DSWD programs and projects are implemented in partnership with local government units.

The interns admitted into the program shall be provided with stipend commensurate to the applicable minimum wage in the region.

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