Filipino employment rises as formal jobs strengthen

Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go welcomed the continued improvement in the country’s labor market, with more Filipinos securing formal employment in October 2025.

In October 2025, a total of 48.62 million Filipinos were employed, marking a 5.6% increase from 46.05 million in the previous quarter.

Wage and salary workers accounted for 64.2% or 31.2 million of all employed persons according to the October 2025 Labor Force Survey.

Most wage and salary workers, or 80.0%, were employed in private establishments, followed by 14.8% working in government or government-owned or controlled corporations.

“This is encouraging news as it reflects the government’s continued commitment to create quality jobs that empower Filipinos and strengthen the economy,” Secretary Go said.

More individuals joined the workforce as the Labor Force Participation Rate rose to 63.6%, up from 60.7% in July 2025.

The unemployment rate fell to 5.0% from 5.3% in July, resulting in 576,000 fewer jobless Filipinos.

Underemployment declined to 12.0% in October 2025 from 14.8% in July, with 992,400 Filipinos gaining more stable or adequate work.

By sector, services generated 60.6% of total employment, while industry accounted for 17.9% and agriculture for 21.5%.

Agriculture contributed 1.9 million additional workers, making it one of the top drivers of employment gains.

Accommodation and food service activities also expanded, adding 195,000 jobs quarter-on-quarter and 180,000 year-on-year due to stronger holiday season demand.

Government efforts to improve labor conditions

The government expanded job facilitation and emergency employment programs in response to increased typhoons in the latter half of the year.

Iloilo City opened its second recruitment hub to match more than 5,000 job seekers with local and overseas opportunities, including free upskilling and assistance for livelihood and internship placements.

The Department of Labor and Employment deployed the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program from September 9 to 28, providing temporary employment to more than 381,000 displaced workers and extending livelihood grants to additional beneficiaries affected by typhoons and earthquakes.

To uphold workers’ rights, DOLE instructed field offices to ensure strict enforcement of Presidential Decree No. 851 mandating 13th-month pay for all rank-and-file employees who have rendered at least one month of work, regardless of status or wage payment method.

In Central Luzon, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board increased daily minimum wages to PHP 475–PHP 570 for non-agriculture, PHP 450–PHP 540 for agriculture, and PHP 460–PHP 560 for small retail and service establishments to strengthen job quality and worker retention.

To maintain continuous public service delivery, the Department of Public Works and Highways announced plans to fill nearly 2,000 vacancies and prioritize promotions for qualified personnel, including long-serving contractual and job order staff.