At least 15 products of the Government Internship Program (GIP) in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi will be absorbed by the provincial government where they were assigned for three months.

Governor Yshmael Sali committed to take in the graduates, said Haipa Jumdain, a provincial employment officer.

The Ministry of Labor and Employment in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOLE-BARMM) likewise released the PHP2.2 million representing the stipend from May to July of 149 GIP participants on Tuesday.

Jumdain, also the MOLE-Tawi-Tawi officer-in-charge, said each intern received PHP14,850.

“The 75 percent of the amount is from BARMM and 25 percent was shouldered by the offices where the beneficiaries were assigned,” Jumdain said in a statement.

The GIP is under the Bureau of Employment Promotion and Welfare program of MOLE, which allotted 200 slots for unemployed graduates of the province.

The program has already selected another 51 graduates from 152 applicants to comprise the second and last batch this year.

The selection was done during the 27th Technical Education and Skills Development Authority celebration on Aug. 25.

The Department of Labor and Employment’s GIP provides three to six month’s opportunity for high school, technical-vocational, or college graduates who want to pursue careers in public service in either the local or national government.

The intern must be 18 to 30 years old, except in areas stricken by disaster or calamities whether natural or man-made where individuals up to 35 years may be accommodated; and without work experience. (PNA)