Aklan Labor Survey Continues Amid Ati-Atihan Festivities

KALIBO, Aklan – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is conducting the Labor Force Survey (LFS) in Aklan to update employment data, undeterred by the festive atmosphere of the Ati-Atihan celebrations.

The LFS provides vital labor market data, including labor force participation, unemployment rates, hours worked, and occupations of unemployed individuals. This information is essential for government planners and policymakers in designing programs that boost employment opportunities and foster economic growth.

PSA-Aklan head Engr. Antonet Catubuan said 389 households across 24 barangays were selected as respondents for the survey.

“Every piece of information provided by these sample households is critical in generating labor market statistics that guide the government in creating evidence-based plans and programs,” Catubuan said.

To ensure high response rates, the PSA is urging households to provide accurate and truthful answers during interviews. Six data collectors have been commissioned to conduct house-to-house visits and administer the survey questionnaire.

The survey collects various employment-related data, including:

• Type of occupation.
• Industry of employment.
• Number of hours worked.
• Class of worker.
• Nature of employment.
• Mode of payment.
• Reasons for working more than 48 hours.

Additionally, information on whether a person has a functional difficulty is being gathered, as it relates to individual work productivity.

“These indicators are critical for generating a comprehensive labor statistics profile across socio-economic groups,” Catubuan added.

The 2024 Labor Force Survey showed that the labor force participation rate (LFPR) in Western Visayas increased to 63.7% in the fourth quarter, up from 60.5% in the third quarter. The employment rate also rose slightly, from 95.1% to 95.9%.

The PSA assured respondents that all information collected will remain strictly confidential, as mandated by law.

The survey’s continuation during the Ati-Atihan festival underscores its importance in providing timely and accurate labor market insights critical to policy and program development.