Butuan City - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has positively impacted over 4,000 young people and students in the Caraga Region this year through various employment and internship initiatives, as stated by a senior official on Tuesday.

According to the Philippines News Agency, DOLE-13 Assistant Director Raymond Fel Sajor, speaking at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum, credited the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) and the Government Internship Program (GIP) with providing significant assistance to underprivileged youths in the region. Sajor noted, "DOLE, with the help of local government units (LGUs) and other agencies, continues to reach out to the less fortunate sectors in Caraga."

The SPES program, aimed at offering temporary employment during summer or Christmas vacations, enables students to earn and support their families. On the other hand, the GIP offers three- to six-month internships to high school, technical-vocational, or college graduates, providing them with practical work experience in government offices. Since the beginning of the year, the SPES has assisted 3,058 individuals, and GIP has paid a total of PHP 49.6 million to 1,022 interns.

Furthermore, the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, which offers emergency employment to disadvantaged workers aged 18 and above, has reached 111,354 beneficiaries this year, with PHP 515 million distributed in wages. "TUPAD is widely known in our communities, and the support of LGUs has been instrumental in its successful implementation," Sajor highlighted.

Additionally, the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) has provided PHP 82.8 million in livelihood grants to 2,763 beneficiaries since January, supporting alternative income and employment opportunities for the region's residents.