Cabarroguis, Quirino – On January 26, 2023, a dialogue between the Department of Labor and Employment – Quirino Field Office (DOLE-QFO) with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cabarroguis, Quirino was conducted and spark renewed interest in reducing the unemployment in the locality through the provision of various DOLE programs and services.
In the dialogue, DOLE-QFO Provincial Director Geraldine B. Labayani, LGU-Cabarroguis, Mayor Avelino N. Agustin, Jr. and PESO Manager Herminigilda T. Gamet discussed how the DOLE and its primary objective of reducing unemployment through programs such as the Government Internship Program (GIP) can be a solution to the perennial unemployment problem in the area, with Mayor Agustin, Jr. further noting how the Public Employment and Service Office (PESO) of the LGU have been actively searching for a solution to the problem for close to ten years.
PESO Cabarroguis disclosed that around 290 recipients benefitted already in the municipality over the years. In the past 10 years alone, there were 14 former GIP recipients who secured permanent jobs at LGU-Cabarroguis.
“Noon pa man hanggang ngayon, malaking tulong na ang naibibigay ng DOLE sa bayan ng Cabarroguis sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng GIP slots sa amin, lalong-lalo na sa pagpapatakbo ng ating LGU sapagkat nakakatulong ang mga GIP beneficiaries sa iba’t ibang transaksyon ng munisipyo,” Mayor Agustin said.
Vice Mayor Francisco M. Dulnuan added that a great number of their constituents benefitted from GIP and other DOLE programs.
“Isang malaking tulong ang DOLE dahil sa mga naitulong nito sa LGU. Marami talagang tulong ang TUPAD, GIP, SPES, at Livelihood [program],” he said.
The unemployment rate in the area has soared recently, mainly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and people losing their jobs because of the temporary and permanent closure of establishment, necessitating a broad, long-term approach in partnership with stakeholders such as LGUs to address the unemployment crisis.
The GIP aims to provide employment opportunities for new graduates by letting them experience working in government projects and activities. ###
