The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday said it will intensify programs to create more quality jobs after the latest labor data showed improved employment and lower underemployment in May.
Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the May 2026 Labor Force Survey (LFS) reflects the resilience of the Philippine labor market but also underscores the need to sustain reforms that generate decent and productive employment.
“The challenge before us is no longer simply creating jobs. We must create quality jobs that provide decent incomes, encourage productivity, and prepare Filipinos for the jobs of tomorrow,” Tolentino said in a statement.
“This is the direction that the Department is pursuing as we strengthen our education-to-employment pipeline and build a future-ready workforce.”
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that 49.63 million Filipinos were employed in May, up by about 740,000 from 48.89 million in April.
The underemployment rate also improved to 12.2 percent from 15.2 percent in April, translating to about 1.16 million fewer workers seeking additional jobs or longer working hours. Underemployment refers to a situation where workers are employed but their labor is underutilized.
Year on year, the labor market softened. The labor force reached 52.13 million in May, with 49.63 million employed. The unemployment rate rose to 4.8 percent, or 2.50 million jobless Filipinos, from 3.9 percent, or 2.03 million, in May 2025.
Despite the increase in unemployment from a year earlier, underemployment declined from 13.1 percent to 12.2 percent, indicating fewer employed Filipinos were seeking additional work or longer hours.
The PSA said employment gains in May were recorded in administrative and support service activities, accommodation and food service activities, construction, human health and social work activities and agriculture and forestry.
To sustain these gains, Tolentino said DOLE is expanding employment facilitation, workforce development, and livelihood programs.
These include strengthening labor education for graduating students, expanding the nationwide Trabaho Agad Job Fairs, enhancing partnerships with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to improve workers’ skills and employability, and integrating entrepreneurship support into the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program to help beneficiaries build sustainable livelihoods.
Tolentino also said the country’s recent attainment of upper middle-income country status presents an opportunity to create more quality jobs and raise workforce productivity.
“The Philippines’ attainment of upper middle-income status is a testament to the country’s sustained economic progress. Our task now is to ensure that this milestone translates into more quality employment, higher productivity, stronger workforce competitiveness, and better livelihoods for every Filipino worker,” he said.
He said DOLE will continue working with employers, workers, educational institutions, local governments, and development partners to strengthen the education-to-employment pipeline and ensure that economic growth translates into more productive, inclusive, and decent work opportunities under the Bagong Pilipinas agenda. (PNA)
