DoLE spurs initiatives after weak jobs data

Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Francis Tolentino said the government is closely evaluating the country’s 5.4 percent unemployment rate from the latest Labor Force Survey.

The labor chief attributed the shifting job numbers to a rapidly expanding labor market rather than a structural decline, pointing to an influx of fresh entrants and graduates actively looking for work.

Data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shows that while total employment grew to 50.32 million in September, the parallel entry of 1.63 million individuals into the workforce pushed the overall unemployment figure to 2.86 million.

Tolentino acknowledged the complexities on the ground, noting that sluggish localized business openings and ongoing industry retrenchments — driven by external market conditions beyond domestic control — have temporarily slowed the absorption of new workers.

“We are carefully analyzing these figures,” Tolentino said, clarifying that DoLE is working with the PSA to evaluate current economic indicators. “The data reminds us that the challenge is balancing rapid labor growth with immediate, sustainable placement. Because of these conditions, we are shifting our efforts into higher gear.”

To directly counter the current unemployment trend, DoLE is executing a multi-pronged employment strategy focused on rapid market intervention: DoLE will expand its trademark Trabaho Agad job fairs.