Dole commits to provide more jobs of better ‘quality’

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) on Wednesday committed to providing more jobs of better quality as it highlighted the “resilience” of the Philippine labor market following the release of the May 2025 labor force survey.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Wednesday reported that the number of unemployed Filipinos rose to 2.5 million in May from 2.41 million in April, equivalent to a jobless rate of 4.8%, up from April’s 4.7%. The number of underemployed Filipinos, or those seeking additional jobs to augment their income, fell from 7.41 million to 6.04 million.

Meanwhile, the number of employed Filipinos increased to 49.63 million from 48.9 million.

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The Dole then welcomed the labor force survey results, noting that it highlighted the “gains” from government interventions to improve job quality and expand employment opportunities for Filipinos despite uncertain economic conditions.

While Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said that the latest survey shows the resilience of the Philippine labor force, he said that there is a need to commit to more reforms that will provide not just more jobs, but better quality of employment.

“The challenge before us is no longer simply creating jobs. We must create quality jobs that provide decent incomes, encourage productivity, and prepare Filipinos for the jobs of tomorrow. This is the direction that the Department is pursuing as we strengthen our education-to-employment pipeline and build a future-ready workforce,” Tolentino said in a press release.

The Dole noted that the employment gains for the month of May were seen in the fields of administrative and support service activities, accommodation and food service activities, construction, human health and social work activities, and agriculture and forestry.

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“To sustain these gains, the DOLE has intensified employment facilitation, workforce development, and livelihood initiatives, including strengthening labor education for graduating students, expanding the nationwide Trabaho Agad Job Fairs, enhancing partnerships with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to improve skills development and employability, and integrating entrepreneurship interventions into the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program to help beneficiaries transition toward sustainable sources of income,” the Dole said in the same press release.

Tolentino also committed that the agency will continue to strengthen its collaboration with other government agencies, employers, and workers to promote an inclusive labor market. He added that the agency will also work with educational institutions, local government units, and development partners to strengthen the education-to-employment pathway for many Filipinos, enabling them to seek decent job opportunities. /mr

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