Proposed 2024 budget fortifies employability of Filipinos
"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/PIA-Caraga)
