There is a pending House of Representatives resolution that urges and recommends government agencies connected with the labor and employment sector to hold e-jobs, online fairs and virtual career platform activities that are geared towards helping reduce unemployment in the Philippines.
House Resolution 1597, which was introduced by Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez and Las Piñas City Rep.Camille Villar, calls on the Department of Labor and Employment, the Civil Service Commission and other government agencies to conduct Balik-Trabaho e-jobs, online job fairs and other similar virtual career platform activities that is geared towards assisting job seekers, resolving unemployment concerns and formulating short, medium and long-term approaches and strategies to address the lack of opportunities in the country.
The Lower House resolution cited Article II, Section 3 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which declared that "the State shall promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all." It added that a roadmap on employment, jobs and opportunities must be set in place, taking into consideration health protocols and the government restrictions on mass gatherings.
The resolution also calls on various government agencies to innovate in generating job opportunities during the pandemic and health crisis.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on its September 30, 2021 report that the unemployment rate rose to 8.1 percent in August, or an increase of 1.2 percentage points from the 6.9-percent unemployment rate recorded last July.
The unemployment rate in August was also lower than those reported in January, February, and April this year but it was higher than the rates in March (7.1%), May and June (7.7%), and in July (6.9%).
The total number of unemployed persons in August was estimated at 3.88 million individuals who were 15 years old and above.
Meanwhile, the number of underemployed persons decreased by 2.21 million, from 8.69 million in July to 6.48 million in August.
Underemployment rate was estimated at 14.7 percent in August, the third lowest reported this year along with 12.3 percent in May and 14.2 percent in June. (Melvin Sarangay)