Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday urged lawmakers to sustain efforts on job creation and worker protection, citing government data showing that about 2.25 million Filipinos remain unemployed despite easing labor figures.

Go made the call as the latest figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the country’s unemployment rate declined to 4.4 percent. He said the improvement should not distract policymakers from the continued struggles faced by millions of jobless Filipinos.

The senator stressed that labor data should be viewed beyond percentages and instead be understood in terms of the families affected by unemployment.

“Kapag sinasabi nating may milyon-milyong walang trabaho, malinaw na may mga pamilyang araw-araw na nag-iisip kung saan kukuha ng panggastos,” Go said, noting that joblessness directly affects food security, housing stability and access to basic needs.

He added that unemployment is often compounded by underemployment, where workers may technically have jobs but lack sufficient hours or income to support their families.

“Hindi lang usapin kung may trabaho o wala. Usapin din kung sapat ba ang kita at oras ng trabaho para mabuhay nang maayos ang isang pamilya,” he said.

Go reiterated the need for concrete measures that directly address the realities faced by workers and jobseekers, saying he has filed several proposals in the 20th Congress aimed at easing financial pressures on working families and assisting those still looking for employment.

Among these is Senate Bill No. 175, which seeks to mandate a P100 daily minimum wage increase nationwide. Go said the measure responds to the continuing impact of inflation and rising living costs that have eroded workers’ purchasing power.

To support unemployed Filipinos, he also filed Senate Bill No. 174, or the Indigent Jobseekers Assistance bill, which proposes subsidies for job application-related expenses such as transportation, documentation and other basic requirements.

According to Go, these costs often prevent poor Filipinos from even reaching the interview stage.

“Maraming gustong magtrabaho pero nauudlot dahil sa simpleng gastos sa paghahanap ng trabaho,” he said.

The senator is also pushing Senate Bill No. 177, the proposed Rural Employment Assistance or TUPAD bill, which seeks to institutionalize temporary employment programs for displaced workers in rural areas.

“Mahalaga ang pansamantalang trabaho para may agarang pantawid ang mga naapektuhan, lalo na sa mga probinsya,” Go said, adding that such programs can provide immediate income support while workers look for more permanent opportunities.

For Go, the continued presence of 2.25 million unemployed Filipinos highlights the need to keep labor issues at the forefront of legislative priorities.

“Hindi sapat na tingnan lang ang porsiyento. Dapat ang pokus ay kung paano natin mabibigyan ng disenteng hanapbuhay at sapat na kita ang mas maraming Pilipino,” he said.