DEPDev pushes stronger labor market resilience

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development said strengthening the resilience of the Philippine labor market remains urgent as the government confronts domestic and global disruptions affecting jobs and livelihoods.

The statement followed the Philippine Statistics Authority’s release on June 9 of the April 2026 Labor Force Survey, which showed the unemployment rate rising to 4.7 percent from 4.1 percent in April 2025.

The PSA said the employment rate in April 2026 was 95.3 percent, lower than the 95.9 percent posted a year earlier.

The underemployment rate also climbed to 15.2 percent from 14.6 percent over the same period, reflecting continued pressure on workers seeking longer hours or better jobs.

DEPDev said labor demand softened in key sectors, including agriculture and wholesale and retail trade.

Despite the weaker indicators, total employment increased to 48.89 million in April 2026 from 48.67 million in April 2025.

The services sector remained the country’s largest employer, accounting for 62.3 percent of employed workers.

“The latest labor market indicators reflect both the challenges confronting the economy and the resilience of Filipino workers and businesses,” DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

Balisacan said the government continues to track the employment and livelihood impacts of recent disruptions, including the Middle East crisis, the El Niño phenomenon, and the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Mindanao.

“We remain committed to providing timely support to affected workers and households,” Balisacan said.

He said assistance efforts are being implemented under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport framework.

Balisacan said the inter-agency El Niño Task Force will also be reconvened to help protect jobs and livelihoods, especially in agriculture.

The agriculture sector is among the most vulnerable to climate shocks, with dry spells and extreme weather affecting farm output, rural incomes, and seasonal employment.

Balisacan said the government is also working beyond short-term relief by strengthening business continuity and expanding access to quality employment.

“We are working to broaden market access and attract investments in emerging industries, including artificial intelligence and other high-growth sectors, through strengthened economic partnerships and initiatives such as the Luzon Economic Corridor,” he said.

The Luzon Economic Corridor is part of efforts to attract investment in strategic industries, improve connectivity, and support job creation in higher-value sectors.

Balisacan said closer coordination between government and industry is needed to prepare Filipino workers for the demands of a changing economy.

“The government is strengthening partnerships with the private sector to expand apprenticeship opportunities, improve certification systems, and support worker mobility toward high-value industries such as advanced electronics, renewable energy, and digital services,” Balisacan said.

He said the government is also working to integrate job-formalization pathways into temporary employment programs such as Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers.

The initiative is intended to help workers move from short-term employment assistance into more stable, productive, and higher-quality jobs.

“These initiatives are essential to building a more resilient labor market that can withstand shocks while creating better opportunities for Filipino workers,” Balisacan said.