Senator Jinggoy Estrada (left), Senator Joel Villanueva (Facebook)

Senators have hailed as a "positive" development the fall in both unemployment and underemployment rates based on the November 2024 Labor Force Survey.

"The decrease in the number of jobless Filipinos to 1.66 million, along with a reduction in underemployment to 10.8 percent, highlights our collective efforts to create more job opportunities for our growing workforce," Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said in a statement Thursday, Jan. 9.

"While this is a positive development, our efforts must continue. It is essential to address the remaining challenges to ensure that a greater number of Filipino workers are afforded secure and dignified employment opportunities," he said.

The veteran legislator said he expects more Filipinos to land jobs this 2025, especially with the allocation of P1 trillion funds for infrastructure projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

"Patuloy tayong magtulungan para mapanatili at mapalawak pa natin ang mga oportunidad para sa ating mga kababayan," Estrada said.

For his part, Senator Joel Villanueva said that the latest figures start off the employment sector "on a positive note" this year.

"We laud the decrease of the unemployment rate to 3.2 percent in November 2024 from 3.9 percent in October 2024, and underemployment rate to 10.8 percent for the same period, from 12.6 percent in October 2024," he said in a separate statement. 

Like Estrada, Villanueva expects to see brighter days ahead for Filipino jobseekers.  

"We are expecting for a more improved jobs data with the full implementation of the Trabaho Para Sa Bayan Act and the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Program Act, which we principally authored and sponsored in the Senate, as well as the enactment of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) bill," he said.

"These are pivotal drivers in fostering both economic growth and labor policies. These measures, which are priorities of the Marcos administration, are essential in equipping our workforce with the skills needed to thrive in today’s economy," Villanueva noted. 

"As we look ahead, we are committed to ensuring the full implementation of these laws, knowing they will play a vital role in further reducing unemployment, creating more opportunities and better quality jobs, and ultimately ensuring sustainable growth for our nation," he further said.