Government won't remain complacent even if unemployment rate slows down — Palace
Malacañang said the recent slowdown in the unemployment rate will not lead the government to become complacent in addressing unemployment in the country.
Unemployment rate slowed down to 4.7 percent in April from 5.8 percent in March.
Employment rose to 48.89 million in April 2026, with the services sector accounting for 62.3 percent of total employment, according to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev).
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro attributed the development to Filipino workers, who, despite the challenges, did not give up; and to the government's interventions, such as creating quality and productive jobs, encouraging investments, and providing livelihood opportunities for those who have lost their jobs and for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
"Naging maganda po ang resulta pero hindi po ito pababayaan (The results have been positive. However, we will not take this for granted)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on June 9.
"Kahit medyo nag-increase po ang employment rate, patuloy pa rin po ang ating gobyerno sa paglilikha po ng dekalidad na trabaho at pagbibigay ng mga livelihood projects sa ating mga kababayan (Even though the employment rate has increased somewhat, the government will continue to create quality jobs and provide livelihood projects for our fellow Filipinos)," Castro added.
She also cited the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) commitment to focusing on employment generation, social protection, and improved public services.
"Tuluy-tuloy po ang ating pamahalaan na makapagbigay ng magandang trabaho sa ating mga kababayan (The government will continue to provide quality jobs to our fellowmen)," Castro assured.
Asked whether the Marcos administration can sustain the improvement in employment, Castro said they will remain optimistic.
"Dapat po tayong laging maging positibo dahil hindi naman po tumitigil ang gobyerno sa pagtatrabaho. Lalong-lalo na po ang Pangulo, nagtatrabaho po palagi at kinakailangan talagang maibigay ang kakayanin sa ating mga kababayan at taumbayan (We should always remain optimistic because the government never stops working. Most especially the President, who works tirelessly and is committed to providing as much assistance as possible to our fellow Filipinos and the public)," she said.
Castro likewise emphasized the administration’s commitment to strengthening the competitiveness of Filipino workers by creating clearer pathways from education to employment.