MANILA — The number of unemployed Filipinos fell to 2.58 million in March 2026, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Wednesday, although rising underemployment and a drop in total employed workers underscored lingering labor market pressures as the government intensified measures to cushion workers from the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Latest Labor Force Survey data showed the country’s unemployment rate eased to 5 percent in March from 2.66 million jobless Filipinos recorded in February. However, the total number of employed Filipinos also slipped to 49.07 million from 49.43 million a month earlier, while underemployment climbed to 12.3 percent from 11.8 percent.
PSA chief and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said the labor force in March was estimated at 51.65 million individuals aged 15 years old and above, with around 50 out of every 1,000 Filipinos still without jobs or livelihoods.
The employment rate was recorded at 95 percent.
Despite the decline in unemployment, the year-to-date unemployment rate settled at 5.3 percent, slightly above the government’s target range of 4 to 5 percent for 2026 to 2028.
Underemployed workers are those seeking additional working hours, extra jobs, or better-paying work.
In a separate statement, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the government is ramping up efforts to protect jobs and support workers affected by the continuing unrest in the Middle East.
DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the government would strengthen the delivery of targeted aid, including fuel subsidies and service contracting programs for transport workers, farmers, and fisherfolk.
“We commit to tightening the delivery of targeted assistance, such as fuel subsidies and service contracting for transport workers, farmers, and fisherfolk to improve alignment and expedite implementation. We will leverage technologies such as e-wallets and other digital platforms, where applicable, to ensure efficient delivery channels,” Balisacan said.
The agency also cited regulatory relief measures, including temporary loan payment grace periods and deferred agricultural loan payments to assist small businesses and farm operators.
Financial assistance programs from the Department of Labor and Employment, Landbank, and the Department of Trade and Industry were likewise rolled out to support affected workers and enterprises.
DEPDev added that the government continues to assist overseas Filipino workers displaced by the Middle East crisis through welfare aid, legal assistance, and reintegration programs.
As of April 28, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration had facilitated the repatriation of 8,139 OFWs.
Data from the Department of Migrant Workers also showed that 292,203 local jobs and 206,272 overseas jobs are currently available for displaced workers seeking re-employment. /PN
