President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. marked Labor Day yesterday with some big news: The country’s unemployment rate had dropped to 3.8 percent as of February 2025 — the lowest in 20 years.

In a speech celebrating Filipino workers, Marcos said the numbers reflect an improving labor market under his administration. “The condition of our labor market continues to improve,” he said.

Marcos credited the improvement to rising investments and aggressive jobs creation programs.

From 2022 to 2024, the country secured $27 billion in foreign investments and over P4 trillion in investment commitments expected to create more than 352,000 jobs.

Marcos also highlighted the over 4,000 job fairs held nationwide, which drew more than a million jobseekers and led to nearly 170,000 on-the-spot hires.

“We want to make sure there’s a job fair happening every month,” he said.

One-stop shops 6

To streamline the hiring process, Marcos announced “one-stop shops” at job fair venues, where agencies like the Bureau of Internal Revenue, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Statistics Authority, Professional Regulation Commission, Social Security System, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG will provide on-site document services. Health checks — including X-rays and doctor consults — will also be offered.

“It’s already hard enough to look for a job. Why make it even harder for those trying?” he said.

Training and certifications

The President said efforts are underway to strengthen the senior high school Technical-Vocational-Livelihood track to ensure that graduates leave with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) certifications. He also pointed to the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act, signed in November 2024, which aligns training with actual industry needs.

For professionals, Marcos called for a review of the Continuing Professional Development Act, saying, “It shouldn’t just be about compliance; it should help professionals advance in their fields.”

Emergency employment and support

Alongside jobs creation, Marcos touted safety net programs like the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), which has provided emergency employment to nearly 11 million Filipinos since 2022.

More than 21 million have benefited from Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and nearly 740,000 have been helped through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

“We’re making sure that when times get tough, our people have something to lean on,” he said.

Honoring workers

In his message on the 123rd iteration of Labor Day, Marcos honored Filipino workers’ sacrifices and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to their welfare.

“The true wealth of a nation isn’t just measured by income but by the dignity of hardworking people,” he stressed.

He assured workers that the government is not just an observer but an active partner in building a better, fairer Philippines.

“We will not abandon you. We will support you — not just out of duty, but in gratitude and recognition of your true value and sacrifice,” the President said.

Labor market remains resilient

The Philippine labor market remains resilient despite economic challenges, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) reported Thursday.

In a Labor Day update, DoLE said job growth has stayed strong, with improvements in employment and notable drops in unemployment and underemployment from 2024 into early 2025.

In 2024, the average employment rate rose to 96.2 percent, up from 95.6 percent in 2023 and 94.6 percent in 2022. Unemployment averaged 3.8 percent, while underemployment fell to 11.9 percent — down from 12.3 percent the year before.

Monthly Labor Force Survey data showed employment peaking at 96.9 percent in June and December. By December 2024, unemployment dipped to 3.1 percent, with underemployment at 10.9 percent.

The positive momentum continued in 2025, with employment at 96.2 percent in February and underemployment improving to 10.1 percent.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma credited sustained government programs, highlighting job fairs, digitalization of services, support for businesses, and skills training as key drivers.

“We remain committed to creating quality jobs and supporting Filipino workers as the labor market evolves,” Laguesma said.