
New employees hired by the Zamboanga City government take their oath during an orientation seminar. (Photo by Angelie Cahulugan – Mindanao Examiner)
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 4, 2012) – The Zamboanga City government has hired some 234 new employees to provide them livelihood and working experience as part of its so-called “Government Internship Program” and “Cash for Training Program” aimed at providing livelihood and working experience to unemployed college and high school graduates and undergraduates, including out-of-school youth.
The programs are a joint project of the Zamboanga City Social Welfare and Development Office and Public Employment Service Office.
“The objective of this undertaking is to assist these people to earn a descent living so they can help their own family, and at the same time provide them the necessary job training which can help them in future employment,” Francisco Baredo, Social Welfare head, told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said the employees will be assigned to assist in health centers in the villages. “We shall assign one employee for each day care center and at least 24 of them will be working in various local government offices,” Baredo said.
He said the programs will start on August 6 and ran until August 17.
Baredo said the local government is also offering skills training in 94 technical courses in partnership with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
“The purpose of this training is to provide technical and vocational skills to individuals and an opportunity for them to learn and gain knowledge which they use to start a small business or work in a company and even work abroad,” he said.
Baredo said the training’s duration depends on a chosen course.
“I am so thankful to the local government because I was one of those who were chosen in the program. This is a great opportunity for me to learn who it is to work in government and how to be responsible in the job,” said Isabelle Gonzales, a 24-year old high school graduate. (Joymarie Soler and Angelie Cahulugan)