The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) announced that 1.3-million more Filipinos found employment in November 2024.

According to the 2024 Labor Force Survey, this brought the unemployment rate down from 3.6 percent in November 2023 to 3.2 percent in November 2024.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma attributed the increase to efforts aimed at generating more job opportunities. The underemployment rate also decreased, from 11.7 percent in November 2023 to 10.8 percent in November 2024.

Laguesma highlighted the significant growth in key sectors such as manufacturing, accommodation and food services, health and social work, transportation, and other services, which contributed substantially to the jobs creation.

He emphasized the need for continuous workforce engagement and improvement in job readiness through various employment programs.

“This necessitates continuing efforts to enhance workforce engagement through various employment programs aimed at improving skills and job readiness,” Laguesma said.

Laguesma also noted that the recently passed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act is expected to further boost economic growth and create additional income opportunities.

“We will vigorously continue to foster inclusive growth and ensure equitable access to job opportunities,” he said, emphasizing the importance of upskilling and reskilling the workforce.

“We have consistently updated our youth employability modules to meet industry standards to ensure the absorption of our young new entrants in the ranks of the employed,” he added.

Looking ahead to 2025, Laguesma remains optimistic about continued jobs creation, particularly for vulnerable sectors. He reaffirmed DoLE’s commitment to contributing to the realization of a Bagong Pilipinas.