The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has reported a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.1% in April 2023, an increase from 3.9% in March and 4% in April of the previous year.

The preliminary results, released recently, indicate that approximately 2.06 million Filipinos were unemployed in April, up from 1.93 million the month prior and 2.04 million a year earlier.

National Statistician Dennis Mapa noted that out of the total unemployed, 129,000 individuals are awaiting application results, and 42,000 are seeking reemployment.

He stated that the upcoming Labor Force Surveys in May and June will further clarify whether these individuals transition into employment.

Despite the uptick in unemployment, Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon emphasized the resilience of the labor market in light of global economic pressures, asserting that the current metrics remain within the government's targeted unemployment range of 4.4% to 4.7% as per the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023 to 2028.

The underemployment rate has also seen an increase, now standing at 14.6% in April compared to 13.4% in March.

This translates to about 7.09 million underemployed individuals, reflecting their desire for additional work hours or jobs, which marks a rise from 6.44 million in March and is consistent with 7.04 million in April 2022.

Further details from the PSA indicate that the employment rate decreased slightly to 95.9% from 96.1% in March, yet the total number of employed individuals increased to 48.67 million in April from 48.02 million the previous month and 48.35 million the year prior.

Mapa described the employment rate as a positive indicator of economic activity within the country.

The labor force participation rate rose to 63.7% in April from 62.9% in March, although it marked a decline from 64.1% in the previous year.

Looking ahead, the DEPDev anticipates progress in the labor market, primarily driven by the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Plan, a framework designed to create jobs within the nation.

Edillon highlighted various government initiatives aimed at enhancing workforce employability, including a Government Internship Program for recent graduates and skills training initiatives.

In collaboration with the private sector, the government plans to implement the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework, focusing on digital, technical, and soft skills necessary for emerging industries.

Edillon indicated that fostering a national policy for lifelong learning is critical for improving productivity across domestic industries, particularly in sectors that create high-quality jobs.

The government's strategy includes attracting further investments to generate better-paying positions in manufacturing and high-value-added services, ultimately broadening the economy and providing more opportunities for Filipino workers.