The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) proudly celebrates the success of its Senior Citizens Internship Program (SCIP), a pioneering initiative that proves age is never a barrier to productivity, growth, and meaningful employment.
Open to senior citizens aged 60 years old and above, the program was designed to empower older Ilonggos by giving them renewed opportunities to participate in the workforce and showcase their valuable skills and experience.
Senior interns not only contributed their support but also expressed their joy and appreciation for the program and the opportunities it provided.
“I thought that after 60, I would no longer have any work at all. But with this opportunity—wow—it feels like a new venture, a new journey. We can show other senior citizens that we can still achieve more despite our age,” said Maria Elisa Arroyo, who was deployed as an intern at the BPO firm Carelon Global Solutions PH.
Under the SCIP, a total of 29 senior interns underwent a comprehensive journey that mirrored the real-world hiring process. They successfully completed several important phases, including job application, job interviews, life skills training, a job fair with participating employers, a 20-day internship program, and finally, a well-deserved graduation ceremony recognizing their dedication and perseverance.
During the internship period, the senior interns were assigned to different industries where they were able to contribute their knowledge, discipline, and work ethic. They were also compensated with the prevailing minimum wage, ensuring that their hard work was properly valued and rewarded.
“The training is really worth it. So it opened a new chapter in our life and that no matter your age is, yet if you are open to new learnings, new knowledge, it’s never yet too late to have a shift in a career. So I think for all the seniors there who wanted to join this program, it’s not yet late. So let us grow old gracefully, productively, and be open to change. Especially if we want to upgrade ourselves and be at par with the younger generation. Thank you, CareLon!,” Miriam Lima expressed.
More than just an internship, the program aimed to challenge outdated perceptions about aging and employment. It sought to demonstrate to employers that senior citizens remain a viable, capable, and dependable asset in any workplace. Their years of experience, wisdom, patience, and professionalism are qualities that continue to be highly valuable in today’s workforce. Following the graduation, participating employers will now evaluate and determine how many interns they may formally hire.
Mayor Raisa S. Treñas emphasized that the program reflects the city’s commitment to inclusive governance.
“We believe that inclusion means creating opportunities for everyone, regardless of age. Through this program, we empower our senior citizens to remain active, valued, and productive members of our community,” she said.
This next stage gives the graduates an opportunity to further prove themselves and turn their internships into long-term employment.
The SCIP is aligned with the vision of Mayor Treñas for inclusive job opportunities for all Ilonggos, ensuring that no sector of society is left behind in economic progress.
This meaningful initiative was made possible through the strong partnership of PESO, the office of City Councilor Atty. Sedfrey Cabaluna, and JCI Regatta.
As the graduates move forward into the next chapter of their employment journey, the program stands as a powerful reminder that opportunity, dignity, and purpose have no age limit.
