MANILA -- Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman assured that Filipinos' employability will be strengthened as different projects of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are provided with significant amounts under the proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program.
"This prioritization remains the same for the proposed FY 2024 National Budget, now amounting to P5.768 trillion, attesting to the current Administration’s resolve to reduce poverty, boost infrastructure, reinforce human capital development, and attain upper middle-income status by 2025," the Budget Secretary underscored during the UP School of Economics Program on Development Economics.
Government Internship Program
To provide opportunities and engage young workers to serve the general public in government agencies at the national or local levels, DOLE introduced the Government Internship Program (GIP).
The GIP, which targets to serve 13,554 young workers, was allotted P807.716 million in the FY 2024 NEP, P100 million higher compared to its FY 2023 GAA budget of P707.716 million.
The GIP offers three to six (3-6) month internship opportunities for high school, technical-vocational, or college graduates who desire to work in local or national government.
The following people are eligible to participate in the program: 18 to 30 years old, except in catastrophe or calamity-stricken areas where individuals up to 35 years old may be accommodated; high school, tech-voc, or college graduates; and those with no employment experience.
Special Program for Employment of Students
After accommodating 72,109 beneficiaries this year, P828.9 million was earmarked under the FY 2024 NEP for DOLE's Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) to serve 99,983 Filipino youth next year.
In comparison to its FY 2023 GAA budget of P584.8 million, this youth employment-bridging program will see a budget increase of P244.1 million. The program's eligible recipients include out-of-school youth and poor but deserving 15- to 30-year-old students.
JobStart Philippines Program
To increase the youth’s employability through training, paid internships, and full-cycle employment facilitation services, P205.1 million was dedicated to the JobStart Philippines Program in the proposed 2024 budget.
The proposed budget for the JobStart program is also P162 million higher compared to its FY 2023 GAA budget of P43.040 million.
From 1,200 beneficiaries this year, 5,676 JobStart trainees are being targeted to receive an allowance for the duration of life skills training and technical skills training in 2024.
Youth aged 18-24 who are Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) and have at least reached high school are eligible for the program.
Supporting Innovation in the Philippine Technical and Vocational Education Training System
Further, TESDA’s Supporting Innovation in the Philippine Technical and Vocational Education Training System (SIPTVETS) will be allotted P1.8 billion to modernize the country's technical and vocational education and training system.
The SIPTVETS program also aims to upgrade training facilities and equipment and build the capacity of trainers to impart higher-level skills and competencies demanded by the job market. (DBM)
