MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Department of Labor of Employment (DOLE) has allocated PHP7.3 million for the wages and insurance coverage of interns who will be deployed to various government agencies in the Ilocos Region.
Justin Paul Marbellam, DOLE Ilocos regional office information officer, said in a phone interview on Monday that the agency is looking for 292 interns under the Government Internship Program (GIP).
“They will work beginning this August and up to November at local government units (LGUs), regional line agencies, and other provincial, satellite or field offices. Each GIP intern will receive a PHP370 stipend per day,” he said.
For this GIP batch, priority is given to dependents of minimum wage earners, or those receiving PHP312 to PHP370 daily rate, to help alleviate the effects of inflation on poor families in the region.
“Young people are given the opportunity to gain work experience, and open them access to enter government service which may propel their careers soon,” he added.
Evelyn Ramos, DOLE Ilocos Director, said in a statement that upon the instruction of Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, they must assist parents and breadwinners who are earning the minimum wage by enabling their children or dependents to earn for themselves and augment the family income.
GIP is open to 18 to 30-year-old dependents of minimum wage earners; high school graduates with no work experience yet; and those willing to work for three months in any government office in the Ilocos Region.
DOLE will also provide livelihood assistance to marginalized and disadvantaged informal workers in Pangasinan.
For one, the Curambing Pao Farmers Association with a farm mechanization project has been granted PHP1 million to benefit its 91 members.
Some 1,618 marginalized individuals from Lingayen have been tapped for community work, such as cleaning and disinfection, in all the villages of the capital town under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers program.
Each beneficiary will get a PHP370 daily wage. (PNA)
