The government is strengthening skills development and social protection programs to help workers withstand economic shocks, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Wednesday.
This followed results of the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) latest Labor Force Survey (LFS) showing that unemployment rate improved to 4.4 percent in November 2025 from 5 percent in October, but worsened from 3.2 percent a year earlier, largely due to weather disturbances.
The labor force participation rate rose to 64 percent from 63.6 percent in October, though it remained below the 64.6 percent recorded a year ago.
The employment rate increased to 95.6 percent from 95 percent in the previous month but was lower than the year-ago level of 96.8 percent.
Underemployment declined to 10.4 percent in November from 12 percent in October and 10.8 percent a year earlier.
Citing the PSA report, Balisacan said about 873,000 jobs were lost in November, mostly in sectors affected by cyclones, including accommodation and food services, wholesale and retail trade, and fishing and aquaculture.
He said the government is prioritizing investments in skills development, lifelong learning and social protection to help workers transition across sectors and absorb economic shocks.
“Strengthening workforce competitiveness is key to attracting investments that generate quality jobs,” Balisacan said.
He added that the government is helping businesses develop Business Continuity and Resiliency Plans to mitigate disruptions and protect workers.
Balisacan said DEPDev also supports the full implementation of the Philippine Innovation Act (Republic Act No. 11293) to strengthen the innovation ecosystem, encourage entrepreneurship and boost labor demand.
“The 2026 National Budget serves as a strategic roadmap to safeguard economic recovery and sustain progress toward long-term development goals,” he said, noting its focus on education, health, agriculture, social protection and job creation.
Despite the November job losses, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation chief economist Michael Ricafort said employment figures could recover in December due to improved weather conditions and seasonal demand during the Christmas holidays.
He added that unemployment rates of 3 to 4 percent remain among the lowest in nearly 20 years, based on records since 2005.
Ricafort said the government’s 2026 catch-up spending plan, anchored on anti-corruption and governance reforms, could further boost investor confidence, economic activity, and employment if fully implemented.
DOLE welcomes results
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), meanwhile, welcomed the results of the LFS, with Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma acknowledging improvements in key labor indicators.
“We note month-on-month improvements in the labor force, employment, underemployment, and unemployment,” he said in a statement.
Citing PSA data, Laguesma said the number of underemployed workers declined to 5.11 million in November, while youth employment improved with the youth employment rate rising to 88.3 percent from 85.9 percent in October.
Laguesma also noted year-on-year employment gains in higher- and middle-skill occupations, particularly among technicians, professionals, and managers, reflecting sustained demand for specialized and technical skills.
Similar trends were observed month-on-month, especially in craft and related trades.
Laguesma attributed the decline in underemployment rate to improvements in job quality driven by programs under the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan 2023–2028 and the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan 2025–2034, including skills development, youth employability, enterprise support, and other targeted assistance.
He said DOLE continues to monitor labor market conditions and strengthen employment facilitation through expanded Public Employment Service Offices, which placed more than 2.2 million jobseekers from January to November 2025, with a 93-percent placement rate.
“These efforts are supported by sustained international cooperation to advance responsive and modern public employment services,” he said.
“The DOLE, in partnership with the public and private sectors, remains focused on fostering economic growth and creating quality jobs for all Filipinos,” Laguesma added. (With a report from Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
