WITH more Filipinos entering the labor force than the number of jobs added over the past year, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) said it is putting greater focus on matching jobseekers with available work.
Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino directed regional offices to coordinate with local governments and Public Employment Service Offices (Peso) to intensify employment facilitation, particularly in areas where jobs have declined.
‘Employment remains significantly higher than a year ago, but the increase in unemployment reminds us that there are Filipinos who continue to seek work,’ Tolentino said.
‘We will continue to strengthen employment facilitation and connecting jobseekers with available opportunities,’ he added.
Starting September, Dole will hold monthly Trabaho Agad job fairs nationwide, with Pesos fast-tracking applicants who are already ‘near-hires’ and only need to complete remaining documentary requirements.
‘The goal is not only to bring the unemployment rate down, but to put more Filipinos in decent, more productive work,’ Tolentino said.
Based on the latest Labor Force Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the labor force reached 52.36 million in July, up 3.71 million from a year earlier.
Meanwhile, employment rose by 3.16 million to 49.21 million over the same period.
The gap between the two growth figures coincided with an increase in the unemployment rate to 6 percent from 5.3 percent year-on-year.
Underemployment, however, improved, with the rate falling to 12.9 percent from 14.8 percent and the number of underemployed workers declining by 473,000 to 6.33 million.
‘We need to closely monitor where employment opportunities are growing and where gaps remain so that our employment programs and services can respond to the needs of workers and jobseekers,’ Tolentino said.
Agriculture and Forestry recorded the largest year-on-year employment gain at 1.03 million, followed by Accommodation and Food Service Activities with 729,000.
Manufacturing posted the biggest employment decline at 134,000, while Information and Communication shed 41,000 workers.
Youth employment is another area where Dole is directing its employment programs, after the youth unemployment rate rose to 18.6 percent in July from 18.1 percent a year earlier.
The rate was also higher than the 13.5 percent recorded in June.
Dole will continue its Government Internship Program and Special Program for Employment of Students to improve young Filipinos’ employability.
For workers affected by floods and monsoon rains, the department will continue providing temporary employment through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged-Displaced Workers (Tupad) program.
Livelihood assistance will also continue through the Dole Integrated Livelihood Program, while partnerships with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Migrant Workers will link training and livelihood support to employment and livelihood opportunities.
Dole will likewise keep its Adjustment Measures Program available to micro, small and medium enterprises facing economic pressures, particularly those seeking to sustain operations and protect jobs.