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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Labor market transformation lifts August employment rate to 96.1%

Labor market transformation lifts August employment rate to 96.1%

Published Oct 9, 2025 01:19 pm

At A Glance

  • The country's employment rate rose to 96.1% in August, reflecting a resilient and adaptive labor market.
  • Unemployment eased to 3.9%, while underemployment declined to 10.7%, showing more Filipinos in stable jobs.
  • The services sector remained the top employment contributor, followed by agriculture and industry.
  • DOLE adopts a whole-of-nation approach to connect workers with high-demand and sustainable industries.
  • Key programs such as SPES, GIP, and JobStart Philippines continue to enhance youth employability.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (Trixee Rosel/Manila Bulletin)
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (Trixee Rosel/Manila Bulletin)
The country’s employment rate climbed to 96.1 percent in August, a sign of a resilient and adaptive labor market that continues to recover and prepares workers for emerging industries, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Thursday, Oct. 9.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the latest Labor Force Survey (LFS) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) affirms the economy’s resilience and sustained growth.
He added that the labor market is expanding toward more inclusive and future-ready work opportunities nationwide.
Unemployment, on the other hand, eased to 3.9 percent from 4.0 percent in August 2024, while underemployment declined to 10.7 percent from 11.2 percent, indicating that more Filipinos now hold stable and decent jobs.
The services sector remained the top employment contributor at 61.5 percent, followed by agriculture at 20.4 percent and industry at 18.1 percent.
To sustain this momentum, DOLE is advancing a “whole-of-nation approach” anchored on innovation, convergence, and accessibility to connect workers with high-demand industries, including those aligned with green and sustainable development.
Programs such as the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), Government Internship Program (GIP), and JobStart Philippines continue to equip young Filipinos with technical skills, practical experience, and work values essential for long-term employability.
DOLE has also strengthened its partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to enhance labor market data and with the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) to widen youth employability in the growing IT-BPM sector.
“These collaborations enable the Department to match workforce skills with industry needs, assist displaced workers in securing in-demand roles, and help micro, small, and medium enterprises generate quality employment,” Laguesma said.
The Department also reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to sustainable employment during the ASEAN Green Jobs Forum in Putrajaya, Malaysia, emphasizing that climate-focused initiatives must remain grounded in decent employment and social justice.
DOLE will implement the Framework and Action Plan for Green Jobs under the Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2016 to prepare Filipino workers for opportunities in sustainable industries in line with the Marcos administration’s socio-economic agenda and the country’s 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship.
“DOLE remains steadfast in delivering efficient, transparent, and innovative public service,” Laguesma said.
“Every Filipino worker must be empowered to thrive in a resilient, competitive, and future-ready labor market that embodies the vision of a Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.

Related Tags

DOLE Bienvenido Laguesma PSA labor force survey employment rate
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