Jobless rate eases to 3.2% in November 

The country's unemployment rate further went down to 3.2 percent in November last year from 3.6 percent in the same month of 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority said in a report by Philippine News Agency.

The employment rate, meanwhile rose to 96.8 percent from 96.4 percent in November 2023.

In a briefing on Wednesday, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said results of the latest Labor Force Survey showed the number of unemployed Filipinos during the month was estimated at 1.66 million, down from the 1.83 million seen in November 2023.

Mapa said the number of employed Filipinos was recorded at 49.54 million.

Industries which recorded the largest climb in employment include manufacturing ( 784,000), accommodation and food service activities ( 528,000), human health and social work activities ( 303,000), other service activities ( 239,000), and transportation and storage ( 190,000).

Results of the latest survey also showed a decline in the number of underemployed Filipinos, or those who expressed the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job or to have an extra job, or to have a new job with longer work hours.

The number of underemployed during the month was estimated at 5.35 million, translating to an underemployment rate of 10.8 percent, down from the 11.7 percent recorded in November 2023.

In a statement, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said this indicates "better job quality and fewer workers seeking additional work hours or jobs."

Despite the continued improvement in the country's labor market, NEDA assured that the government will continue to prioritize job quality and income improvement for Filipinos.

"Our labor market remains robust, with consistently high employment rates and reduced underemployment. The next step is to expand business and employment opportunities to enable more Filipinos to actively and productively contribute to the economy," NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

"Moreover, we will encourage business upgrading and skills training programs to ensure that these jobs offer competitive wages as our workers raise their productivity by developing their human capital," added Balisacan.

NEDA cited the importance of a multifaceted approach to ensuring an efficient labor market.

This includes enabling investments in quality job-generating sectors, enhancing skills and workforce mobility, and improving employment facilitation services.

"The government needs to facilitate the adoption of alternative work arrangements to account for workers' evolving preferences while considering organizations' emerging demands. In addition, the government focuses on accelerating government programs that will increase employability, especially among the youth," Balisacan said.

Balisacan also said the timely implementation of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy Act and the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act, will help further improve the business climate, attract more investments, and generate additional employment.

Recognizing the challenges posed by calamities, particularly to agriculture, NEDA said the Department of Social Welfare and Development would expand its cash-for-work and training programs, such as the Local Adaptation to Water Access and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished, to reach climate-vulnerable communities.

"The effective implementation of the Building on Social Protection for Anticipatory Action and Response in Emergencies and Disasters Program will help minimize the impact of flooding, typhoons, and droughts by preparing communities and implementing protective measures before disasters strike," Balisacan said.

"The government complements these efforts by developing climate-resilient infrastructure and early warning systems to strengthen agricultural productivity and build long-term resilience," he added.

Aside from these, Balisacan said the DSWD, in partnership with NEDA and the Department of Labor and Employment, is developing a tool to better assess beneficiaries' eligibility for the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program and minimize leakage or duplication of aid.

A process monitoring and impact evaluation mechanism will also form part of the program's implementation to help ensure its efficiency and effectiveness.

"In line with these efforts, we remain committed to achieving our employment targets under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. The 2024 Philippine Development Report, which NEDA will release this month, will guide our efforts with evidence-based strategies to create quality jobs and sustain economic growth," Balisacan said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said the decline reflects the nation’s collective efforts to create more opportunities for the workforce.

"While this is a positive development, our efforts must continue," Estrada said in a statement. "It is essential to address the remaining challenges to ensure that a greater number of Filipino workers are afforded secure and dignified employment opportunities.”

He expressed optimism that government-funded infrastructure projects under the 2025 national budget, including over PHP1 trillion allocated to the Department of Public Works and Highways, will generate additional employment.

"Umaasa ako na mas marami pa tayong kababayan ang mabibigyan ng trabaho ngayong taon (I expect that more of our countrymen will secure jobs this year)," Estrada said.

The senator urged continued collaboration to sustain and expand opportunities for Filipino workers, calling for collective action to further strengthen the country’s labor market.