Sen. Villanueva on the latest Labor Force Survey results (Sep. 9, 2022)
The July 2022 unemployment rate which dropped to 5.2%, from 6.0% in June 2022 is a positive sign, but the rise in the actual number of underemployed Filipinos remains concerning.
According to PSA, underemployed Filipinos were estimated at 6.54 million in July 2022, higher than the 5.89 million estimate in June 2022.
We still face a precarious jobs situation which requires aggressive intervention.
We need jobs that are secure and pay decently, not temporary, informal and insecure, especially amidst rising prices due to inflation which clocked in at 6.3% last August.
"The budget coupled with correct policies should lead the path to jobs recovery that will help fix the pandemic-scarred economy and lift the lives of our people."
In the Senate, we will continue to pursue the passage of our Senate Bill No. 129 or the "Trabaho Para sa Lahat ng Pilipino Act”.
The measure calls for the institutionalization of a National Employment Recovery Strategy to strengthen jobs generation programs through linkages with local government units.
Right before us is the 2023 national budget that we will thoroughly scrutinize to ensure it will fuel economic activities to create jobs and services.
We will see to it that relevant education and trainings are funded to arm future workers in landing in sustainable employment or livelihood.
The budget coupled with correct policies should lead the path to jobs recovery that will help fix the pandemic-scarred economy and lift the lives of our people.