Arthur Fuentes

Jobseekers look for available jobs during the Marikina City Government's Job Fair 2024 held at the Marikina City Hall, April 27, 2024. A total of 28 private companies participated in the job fair. The event is open to all Filipinos 18 years old and up, high school graduate, college level, or college graduate. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Job fair

ABS-CBN News

<div> </div>MANILA— The Philippines&#x27; unemployment rate dipped in April despite the impact of higher oil prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Tuesday.The jobless rate fell to 4.7 percent in April from 5 percent in March, the PSA said. This meant that 2.41 million Filipino workers were looking for work during the month. Meanwhile, the underemployment rate climbed to 15.2 percent in April from 12.3 percent in March, meaning 7.41 million Filipino workers were classified as underemployed, up from 6.03 million. A worker is classified as underemployed if he/she already has a job but is still still looking for extra jobs or extra work hours.PSA Undersecretary and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa noted that in April 2025, the unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, which means that the jobless rate this year was higher on an annual basis. Some of the industry sectors that posted the highest annual decreases in the number of employed persons were: <ul style="margin-left:20px;list-style-type:disc"><li>Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles (-450 thousand)</li><li>Agriculture and Forestry (-392 thousand)</li><li>Fishing and Aquaculture (-155 thousand)</li></ul><div> </div>Mapa said that the steep hikes in fuel prices could have contributed to the job losses in fishing, as fishers made fewer trips out to sea due to the high cost of diesel and gasoline. Transport workers were also affected by high fuel prices, which contributed to higher underemployment. “Ang sector na nag-contribute sa pagtaas ay yung transportation and storage, in particular ito yung mga passenger land transport natin—mga jeepney drivers, taxi drivers, Angkas drivers,” Mapa said. The Department of Economy Planning and Developement (DEPDev) said the government continues to monitor the employment and livelihood impacts of the Middle East crisis, the El Niño phenomenon, and the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Mindanao.“We remain committed to providing timely support to affected workers and households,” said DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.He said the government is deploying targeted aid under its UPLIFT framework and reconvening its El Niño Task Force to shield vulnerable agricultural workers.“The latest labor market indicators reflect both the challenges confronting the economy and the resilience of Filipino workers and businesses,” said Balisacan.He added that they have longer-term plans focused on attracting investments into high-growth sectors via the Luzon Economic Corridor.“We are working to broaden market access and attract investments in emerging industries, including artificial intelligence and other high-growth sectors, through strengthened economic partnerships and initiatives such as the Luzon Economic Corridor,” Balisacan added.

The jobless rate fell to 4.7 percent in April from 5 percent in March, the PSA said. This meant that 2.41 million Filipino workers were looking for work during the month.

The jobless rate fell to 4.7 percent in April from 5 percent in March, the PSA said. This meant that 2.41 million Filipino workers were looking for work during the month.

Unemployment rate dips but underemployment surges in April

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Unemployment rate dips but underemployment surges in April

Arthur Fuentes,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 09, 2026 09:17 AM PHT

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Updated June 09, 2026 10:37 AM PHT

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unemployment rate

jobless rate

underemployment rate

labor force

PSA

economy

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