MANILA — Malacañang on Wednesday welcomed independent think tank IBON Foundation’s report that the number of employed persons has increased from 39.3 million in January 2017 to 41.8 million in January this year.
“While the number of underemployed and part-time workers grew in 2018 compared to the same period last year, it is noteworthy to mention that the number of employed persons increased to 41.8 million,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a media statement.
According to IBON Foundation, employment rate also rose to 94.7 percent in January 2018 from 93.4 percent in January last year while unemployment rate dropped from 6.6 percent to 5.3 percent.
The think tank, however, noted that the number of underemployed grew by 1.1 million.
Roque said the government will continue to address and improve the labor situation in the country.
Last Sunday, Roque said the government took note of a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing adult joblessness at 23.9 percent in March 2018 compared to 15.7 percent in December last year.
He said the government remains optimistic to generate more job opportunities with the implementation of the massive infrastructure “Build, Build, Build” program throughout the country.
At least 2 million people are reportedly expected to get employment this year for the all-out implementation of the Build, Build, Build.
In his speech at the recent Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan, China, President Rodrigo Duterte said the Build, Build, Build program will provide the “solid backbone for growth”.
Duterte said over USD69 billion will be spent for the construction of different infrastructure projects until 2022.
At least PHP9 trillion will be spent for the implementation of the Build, Build, Build program. (Jelly Musico/PNA)
