THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Thursday that its job initiatives served as a buffer against the effects of rising unemployment.
The June 2026 Labor Force Survey, conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), revealed that the number of unemployed Filipinos increased to 50.66 million in June from 49.63 million in May.
The survey also showed that the labor force has expanded to 53.25 million from 52.13 million during the same period, raising the participation rate to 65.1 percent from 63.8 percent.
Meanwhile, the PSA reported that the unemployment rate was at 4.9 percent in June, up from 4.8 percent in May and 3.7 percent in June 2025.
DOLE noted that the increase in the unemployment rate was accompanied by the entry of more than 1 million additional job seekers into the labor market.
Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the figures showed the need to continue efforts to expand access to employment and improve job quality.
“The rise in labor force participation signals greater confidence among Filipinos to seek employment. While year-on-year figures highlight areas that require sustained attention, they likewise reinforce the importance of advancing reforms that raise both the quantity and quality of jobs. Our task is not only to create more employment opportunities but to ensure that Filipinos are equipped for higher-value, future-ready work,” Tolentino said.
DOLE said it would continue implementing employment facilitation and workforce development programs, including the “Trabaho Agad” job fairs.
