PH Gov’t Commits to More Quality Jobs for Filipinos

The Philippine government reaffirmed its commitment to create more high-quality jobs as the latest Labor Force Survey (LFS) showed that unemployment remained low and within target despite global headwinds.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on June 6 that the unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.1 percent in April 2025, from 4.0 percent a year earlier, while the labor force participation rate dipped to 63.7 percent from 64.1 percent.

The country’s employment rate remained robust at 95.9 percent, translating to 48.7 million employed Filipinos, while the underemployment rate held steady at 14.6 percent.

“Despite the slight uptick in unemployment, the Philippine labor market continues to demonstrate resilience amid global headwinds,” said Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Officer-in-Charge and Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon.

She said the country is on track to meet its 2023–2028 Philippine Development Plan (PDP) unemployment target of 4.4 to 4.7 percent.

Employment gains were strongest in the services sector, which rose to 30.14 million from 29.72 million in April 2024, and agriculture, which increased to 10.02 million from 9.8 million year-on-year.

“We are optimistic about further improving our labor force in the months and years ahead, especially with the rollout of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan and the influx of new investments,” Edillon added.

Government efforts to enhance employability include improving the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track in senior high school, expanding the Government Internship Program (GIP) for fresh graduates, and offering flexible skills training.

“Leveraging the role of the private sector in training and skills development allows the workforce to benefit from industry expertise,” said Edillon, referring to the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework co-developed with industry.

To maintain workforce agility, Edillon emphasized the need for a national lifelong learning policy, along with expanded implementation of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).

She said the government will also boost productivity in domestic industries that generate better-paying jobs and enhance labor resilience to external shocks.

“Attracting more investments to generate higher-quality and better-paying jobs, particularly in manufacturing and higher-value-added services, and expanding into new markets is essential,” she noted.

A newly formed Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council will support local firms in upgrading their technology and expanding product offerings, while the government focuses on worker upskilling and infrastructure readiness.

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto echoed the labor sector’s strength, noting that unemployment remains low, averaging 4.0 percent year-to-date—below the PDP target.

“In line with President Marcos Jr.’s directive, the economic team is building a labor market that works for the future—resilient, inclusive, and equipped to compete globally,” Recto said.

To support job generation, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) secured investment pledges from South Korea’s Lotte GRS, which plans to open 30 Lotteria branches nationwide under the CREATE MORE law.

DTI also partnered with the World Economic Forum for the “Future of Jobs Accelerator,” which forecasts that 68 percent of Filipino workers will need training by 2030, with 27 percent requiring full reskilling.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is rolling out micro-credentialing and AI governance training, while TESDA approved National Certification III for over 68,000 Child Development Workers to address gaps in early education.

TESDA also launched the rules for the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act, boasting an 85.48 percent employment rate among program graduates.

Additionally, TESDA is expanding global partnerships to enhance technical education through international scholarships and research collaborations.

To support youth employment, the Department of Agriculture (DA) launched the Young Filipino Farm Leaders Training Program in Japan, and DOLE opened over 2,700 GIP slots in the Ilocos Region for disadvantaged youth.

DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan is currently in Paris, France, attending the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, where the Philippines officially assumed co-chairship of the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Programme alongside Canada.