From internship to public service: Marc Vincent builds career in government through GIP

For Marc Vincent Manapat, what began as a simple way to spend an extended summer break eventually became the starting point of a career devoted to public service.

Marc first joined the Department of Labor and Employment’s Government Internship Program (GIP) after learning about the opportunity from a friend. He served as a Government Intern at the DOLE Samar Field Office in Catbalogan City from April to July 2019 and later returned for another stint from September to December 2024. At first, his goal was simply to gain experience and make productive use of his time.

His experience as a government intern, however, gave him an opportunity to see firsthand how government offices operate and how public servants contribute to the lives of the people they serve. The exposure he received through the program helped him appreciate the value and fulfillment of working in government.

The experience became an important foundation as Marc pursued opportunities in public service. Today, he is a regular employee of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), serving as a Local Government Operations Officer under the Local Government Monitoring Division. He also serves as the regional focal person for programs related to peace and order, agriculture, and environmental management.

Looking back, Marc credits the Government Internship Program for providing him with the foundation and exposure that helped prepare him for a career in government service.

Marc’s journey shows how an internship can become more than a temporary work opportunity. Through GIP, young Filipinos can gain meaningful exposure to the workplace, discover the value of public service, and develop the experience that can help them build lasting careers.