Sen. Grace Poe today said she will push for a measure mandating government offices to employ students on a paid internship program in an effort to further hone their skills and address youth unemployment.
Speaking at the Go Negosyo’s Youth Entrepreneurship Summit in Pasay City on Friday, March 8, Poe said student-interns in government offices should be paid minimum wage at the least.
“Isa sa batas na gusto kong itulak ang pagkakaroon ng internship programs sa lahat ng government offices,” said Poe at the event.
Citing data from the Labor department, Poe said, in 2018, 75.2 percent or 1.73 million of the unemployed workers in the country were between the ages of 15 and 34.
“Doon sa batas na itutulak natin, kung mabibigyan tayo muli ng pagkakataon, lahat ng mga government offices ay dapat mag-hire ng interns at bigyan sila ng minimum wage,” Poe added.
According to the reelectionist senator, fresh graduates were mostly asked about their work experience when they were looking for jobs.
Also, some students are the ones paying for their internship at companies.
“Bakit ikaw magbabayad e tumutulong ka na nga sa kanila [kumpanya] as an intern?” Poe pointed out.
Poe said legislators are not only policymakers but also exercise their oversight functions of ensuring that taxpayers’ money are properly spent.
“Kami sa Senado, hindi lang gumagawa ng batas. Kami rin ay nagdedesisyon kung papaano gagastusin ang pera ng gobyerno kaya kinakailangan din na binabantayan namin kung paano ang paggasta ng pera ng gobyerno.”
“Kaya isa sa aking itinutulak ay mapunta sa edukasyon ang pondo ng gobyerno na mararamdaman niyong lahat,” said Poe, who authored the school feeding law, bill waiving fees for pre-employment documents and free internet in land transport terminals.
Poe then reminded students attending the summit to reach their full potential.
“Whatever your passion is, pursue it because what interests you will actually drive you to do better,” said Poe.
