The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reduced unemployment and supported students and fresh graduates through its employment programs in Central Luzon.
During the 17th episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency, DOLE Assistant Regional Director Alejandro Inza Cruz highlighted that thousands of individuals have gained work experience and financial support through the agency’s initiatives.
“In Central Luzon alone, we have helped thousands of young people through our key programs,” he said, emphasizing the positive impact of the agency’s employment facilitation efforts.
One of the main programs DOLE has focused on is the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), which links students to job opportunities that enable them to earn income while pursuing their education.
As of August 2024, more than 15,000 students have benefited from SPES.
Cruz explained that this program not only provides financial assistance but also gives students valuable work experience.
In addition to SPES, the Government Internship Program (GIP) has played a crucial role in providing hands-on experience to young graduates.
“The GIP fosters a sense of civic responsibility and prepares interns for future careers in government or other sectors,” he emphasized.
This year, DOLE extended its collaboration to 21 national government agencies (NGAs), providing internships to 4,101 young individuals across the region.
The effectiveness of the GIP is evident in the number of interns transitioning into permanent roles.
In 2023, 55 out of 3,251 interns were hired by the agency’s program partners, and this year, 56 have already secured jobs.
Cruz encouraged fresh graduates to take advantage of the program and urged them to visit DOLE provincial offices with the required documentation.
DOLE has also worked closely with local government units (LGUs) to provide practical work experience for interns.
“We’ve assigned GIP interns to various LGU offices, enabling them to participate in local programs while gaining practical experience,” Cruz said.
Interns in the program are required to work for three to six months and are compensated with a minimum wage of P500 per day. Over three months, they can earn up to P32,000, and they receive one year of insurance coverage through the Government Service Insurance System, fully funded by DOLE.
The agency has actively placed interns in roles that match their fields of study.
“Business students are assigned to treasurer, accounting, or budget offices, while engineering students are placed in local engineering departments,” Cruz noted.
He also stressed the agency’s focus on helping interns transition into permanent positions, particularly those with civil service eligibility.
“We are urging our partner agencies and LGUs to absorb interns, even in job order roles, to help them kick-start their careers,” he said.
DOLE’s programs are designed not only to provide immediate employment but also to offer long-term career opportunities for the youth of Central Luzon. (PIA Region 3- Pampanga)
