SENATE Labor Committee Chair Joel Villanueva is urging the government to fast-track its long-term employment plan following the latest rise in PSA unemployment figures.
Joblessness jumped to 4.9 percent in June 2026, leaving 2.59 million Filipinos without work—up from 3.7 percent, or 1.95 million, recorded during the same period last year.
The sharp increase prompted legislative leaders to urge the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development to fast-track the implementation of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Plan.
Enacted to establish a comprehensive national roadmap for job creation, the TPB Act aims to ensure Filipinos gain access to stable, decent, and quality employment capable of supporting a family.
Villanueva said that the latest economic data highlighted severe contractions in critical employment sectors.
Wholesale and retail trade experienced the largest loss, shedding 903,000 jobs year-on-year, while fisheries and aquaculture lost 467,000 positions.
High fuel costs, electricity system loss charges, and bureaucratic red tape along supply chains continue to drive up business expenses, heavily impacting retail trade.
Although agriculture and forestry posted modest temporary gains, the sector remains highly exposed to typhoon disruptions and climate volatility.
Youth employment also saw a noticeable drop, declining from 90.6 percent to 86.5 percent despite an increasing number of young graduates entering the workforce.
To address these vulnerabilities, Villanueva called for stronger coordination between economic planners, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Agriculture, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Immediate government intervention across all regions remains vital to supporting struggling families and stabilizing job creation in heavily affected industries.
