By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Philippines’ unemployment rate climbed to 6 percent in July 2026, leaving about 3.14 million Filipinos without jobs and marking the highest level recorded since 2022, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Malacañang on Wednesday said the government was pursuing measures to ease unemployment, including efforts to attract investments, strengthen workforce development and expand employment opportunities.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration was working to improve the country’s ease of doing business, which she described as key to encouraging investors to establish or expand operations and create jobs.
She also cited the government’s continuing reform of the National Education and Workforce Development Plan for 2026 to 2035, aligned with ASEAN mutual recognition arrangements for qualifications and skills certification.
The Palace likewise pointed to the impact of the Middle East crisis on employment, noting that some overseas Filipino workers had been repatriated from countries affected by the conflict.
To help displaced and job-seeking workers, the Department of Labor and Employment continues to hold monthly nationwide Trabaho Agad job fairs and strengthen employment placement networks through Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) operated with local government units.
Castro cited recent employment gains reported through PESO in Makati as an example of the programs being implemented at the local level.
She also said the administration was continuing its TESDA Upskilling Alliances to improve workers’ skills and employability.
The government is also considering tax incentives for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which Castro said could help reduce their tax burden and support business expansion and job creation.
Despite the sharp increase in unemployment, the PSA said the July rise was driven mainly by an increase in the number of Filipinos entering the labor force.
The latest figure places renewed focus on the government’s efforts to absorb the growing pool of workers through investment, skills development, job placement and support for businesses capable of generating employment.
ia/xf
