Despite an increase in the employment rate for the month of August, over two million Filipinos remain jobless, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Wednesday.

In a press conference, PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa reported that the number of employed Filipinos aged 15 and above increased to 4.05 million as it climbed to 50.10 million or 96.1 percent in August from 94.7 percent or 46.05 million in July.

Mapa also reported that 3.9 percent or 2.03 million Filipinos were unemployed as of August. It is 560,000 lower than the recorded 5.3 percent or 2.59 million jobless in July.

The underemployment rate also fell to 10.7 percent, compared to 14.8 percent in July.

Mapa said the number of Filipinos in the labor force increased to 52.13 million or 65.1 percent in August from 60.7 percent or 48.64 million in July.

Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan welcomed the overall developments in the labor market.

“These positive labor market indicators reflect our collective effort to sustain economic growth while ensuring that more Filipinos benefit from it," he said.

"We are working to generate not just jobs, but quality jobs that will raise incomes, reduce underemployment, and improve the overall well-being of our people,” he added.

Balisacan said the government aims "to enhance resilience in sectors vulnerable to disruptions, such as retail trade and agriculture, by prioritizing improvements in logistics, infrastructure, digitalization, and workforce development, particularly among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)".

"The government is also ramping up investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and proactive measures, alongside timely emergency employment programs to support workers affected by disruptions,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS