Unemployment rate in Central Visayas down in 2023 – DOLE

CEBU CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment reported a decrease in the unemployment rate in Central Visayas this year.

DOLE-7 Director Lilia Estillore said that the unemployment rate in Region 7 decreased from 5.8 percent in 2022 to 5.2 percent in 2023.

Estillore said the unemployment rate last year was higher because of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and typhoon “Odette.”

“Unemployment has decreased. Meaning, those that were really down during the Covid and Odette times, maybe they have started to really recover,” said Estillore.

Business process outsourcing companies contributed to more employment opportunities, said Estillore.

Estillore said that DOLE-7 has initiated programs that would improve the employment rate in the region.

“I’m hopeful that with all the employment facilitation and funding that we have will provide more job opportunities,” Estillore said during agency’s 90th founding anniversary on Friday, December 1.

She announced the agency’s plans  for next year such as the holding of seminars and offering programs that will benefit the region.

Livelihood programs for displaced workers and special employment programs for working students are being lined up, said Estillore.

“The government funding is just the tip of the iceberg. The concern and action taken by the government in order to really improve employment and reduce the employment rates is one thing we should recognize,” Estillore said.

Estillore announced that a job fair will be held on December 8 here where more than 2,000 job vacancies will be available.