QUEZON CITY, Mar. 8 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) today provided updates on the implementation of its Government Internship Program (GIP) for the year. Taking into great consideration the safety and protection of the youth from the continuing threat of COVID-19, the Department announced that it has decided to postpone the GIP for 2021. The DSWD explained that the decision to postpone the internship program was part of the DSWD’s continued adherence to the Inter-Agency Task Force Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine, particularly on setting of age restrictions for the public allowed to go out of their homes. This is also in compliance with the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 18, series of 2020 on Alternative Work Arrangements and Support Mechanisms, specifically on reduced workforce in government offices to ensure that the appropriate social distancing measures are established.