Romualdez hails drop in unemployment as sign of

Romualdez hails drop in unemployment as sign of | Daily Tribune

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has lauded the recent decline in the country’s unemployment rate, describing it as a clear and encouraging indicator of the Philippine economy’s continued recovery and strengthening.

Reacting to the latest Labor Force Survey released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Romualdez highlighted the drop in unemployment to 3.8 percent in February 2025, down from 4.3 percent in January.

This marks the lowest level in three months, with only 1.94 million Filipinos reported unemployed, a significant improvement from 2.16 million the previous month.

“This improvement in our labor market conditions reflects the growing strength and stability of our economy. It is proof that our policies are prudent and uplifting our people’s lives,” Romualdez said.

The House leader credited President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s commitment to sustainable and inclusive economic development for the improvement in employment figures.

“Our President’s clear vision for economic growth is bearing fruit,” he said. “We, in Congress, are ready to provide necessary legislative support aimed at strengthening investments to create more jobs and skills training to enable our workers to adapt and thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.”

The PSA also reported a rise in employment to 96.2 percent in February, up from 95.7 percent in January. The number of employed Filipinos grew to 49.15 million, compared to 48.95 million in February 2024 and 48.49 million in January 2025.

“With 49.15 million Filipinos now employed, we are witnessing not just numerical progress, but real improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens,” Romualdez added.

He also noted the drop in the underemployment rate, which decreased from 13.3 percent in January to 10.1 percent in February — equivalent to 4.96 million individuals — as a crucial milestone.

“Fewer Filipinos are now seeking additional work, which suggests that better quality jobs and improved working conditions are becoming more available,” he said.

While celebrating the positive indicators, Romualdez emphasized the importance of sustaining the country’s growth trajectory.

“We must ensure that no Filipino is left behind. We will continue to push for policies that create decent jobs, strengthen local industries, and secure a better future for every Filipino family,” he concluded.