SENATOR Joel Villanueva is advocating for a measure to institutionalize the Government Internship Program (GIP).

Through his Senate Bill 1528, Villanueva aims to establish the GIP as a structured pathway for young Filipinos to pursue careers in public service.

He envisions the program as a youth employment bridging initiative that provides hands-on learning and leadership development in government, rather than a social assistance scheme or an additional source of government personnel.

The bill seeks to reinforce the GIP as a genuine internship program focused on youth employability and training future public sector leaders. It clearly distinguishes internships from social protection programs such as TUPAD or Cash-for-Work, emphasizing skill-building and career preparation over short-term income support.

Villanueva stressed that institutionalizing the GIP reaffirms the government’s commitment to investing in the youth as the next generation of public service leaders. The bill also ensures that internships are purposeful, merit-based, and aligned with national development priorities.