Manila: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday welcomed the latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Labor Force Survey (LFS) figures showing an increase in the country's employment rate.
According to Philippines News Agency, the latest Labor Force Survey showed that the number of employed Filipinos increased to 50.66 million in June 2026 from 49.63 million in May. During the same period, the country's labor force expanded by 1.12 million, reaching 53.25 million and raising the labor force participation rate from 63.8 percent to 65.1 percent.
In a statement, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the sustained expansion of employment and labor force participation translates to more opportunities for Filipinos to secure jobs, earn stable income, and improve their quality of life. He noted that the results also reflected a labor market that continues to create employment opportunities while encouraging more jobseekers to actively participate in the economy.
The DOLE chief emphasized that the June labor market results affirm the economy's capacity to generate employment while accommodating a growing labor force, reinforcing his priorities to expand access to quality, future-ready employment. 'The rise in labor force participation signals greater confidence among Filipinos to seek employment. While year-on-year figures highlight areas that require sustained attention, they likewise reinforce the importance of advancing reforms that raise both the quantity and quality of jobs,' Tolentino said.
The results indicate that more than 1 million Filipinos secured employment during the month, demonstrating the labor market's capacity to absorb the majority of new labor force entrants. Although the unemployment rate slightly increased to 4.9 percent from 4.8 percent in May, DOLE said this was largely driven by the significant influx of more than 1 million additional jobseekers entering the labor market.
Meanwhile, underemployment improved slightly, declining to 12.1 percent from 12.2 percent in May-indicating that fewer employed Filipinos were looking for additional work, another job, or longer working hours, suggesting improvements in the quality of available employment. Employment gains were also recorded in agriculture and forestry, other service activities, public administration and defense, wholesale and retail trade, and education.
Under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., DOLE has intensified its employment facilitation and workforce development programs guided by Tolentino's twin priorities of facilitating employment opportunities through the 'TRABAHO AGAD' job fairs and advancing 'future-ready manggagawa.' These priorities are being advanced through stronger partnerships with employers, educational institutions, local government units, Public Employment Service Offices, and other social partners to generate more quality jobs, strengthen education-to-employment pathways, promote decent work for all workers, and equip the Filipino workforce with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
