Manila: Senator Joel Villanueva has emphasized the necessity of utilizing the latest labor force figures to refine government jobs programs and assist education and training agencies in equipping Filipinos for sectors capable of generating quality employment. Villanueva made this statement on Wednesday, highlighting the importance of aligning government efforts with labor market demands to ensure effective job creation.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the labor force participation rate rose to 63.6 percent in July 2026 from 60.7 percent in July 2025. This increase accounts for 52.36 million Filipinos aged 15 and above who were either employed or unemployed. Villanueva pointed out that the higher participation rate signifies more Filipinos are actively seeking employment, thereby necessitating a more focused alignment of training, education, and employment interventions with labor market needs.
The senator welcomed the reduction in underemployment to 12.9 percent from 14.8 percent a year ago, acknowledging, however, that many Filipinos still require additional work or better-paying jobs. PSA data indicated that the number of employed individuals grew to 49.21 million in July 2026 from 46.05 million in July 2025, while the underemployed reached 6.33 million. Villanueva stressed that these figures are crucial for agencies like the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to identify areas where upskilling, reskilling, and job-generation initiatives must be intensified.
Villanueva also advocated for a thorough evaluation of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, underscoring that its implementation should be assessed against the actual needs of the labor market. Under Republic Act No. 11962, the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Inter-Agency Council is tasked with submitting biannual reports to the Office of the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, detailing implementation status, accomplishments, gaps, and recommended policy interventions under the national employment plan.
The senator called on the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) to deliver the mandated report, providing Congress with a clear account of the progress, gaps, and specific measures being undertaken under the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan. He noted that the rise in the unemployment rate to 6 percent from 5.3 percent a year earlier indicates that job creation is still lagging behind the increasing number of Filipinos entering the labor force.
PSA data revealed an increase in the number of unemployed Filipinos, reaching 3.14 million in July from 2.59 million the previous year. The manufacturing sector recorded the largest annual job decline with 134,000 jobs lost, while the construction and mining and quarrying sectors saw reductions of 85,000 and 57,000 jobs, respectively, between April and July. Villanueva stressed the importance of ensuring that economic growth leads to more stable, productive, and decent employment opportunities for Filipinos.
