SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Saturday welcomed the creation of 2.6 million additional jobs at the start of 2025, as reflected in the latest Labor Force Survey (LFS), emphasizing that this is a testament to the country’s steady economic momentum under the Marcos administration.
Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 306-strong House of Representatives, underscored the significant increase in agriculture jobs, calling it a clear indication that government programs are effectively boosting food security and rural development.
However, he stressed that while these gains are encouraging, sustained and long-term efforts are necessary to ensure that employment growth is inclusive and resilient across all sectors.
Citing the March 6 LFS released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Speaker Romualdez noted that the agriculture and forestry sector recorded the highest job increase, adding 883,000 new jobs in January.
This was followed by wholesale and retail trade, including motor vehicle and motorcycle repairs, which gained 850,000 jobs; accommodation and food service activities with 533,000 jobs; and transportation and storage with 141,000 jobs.
“These figures reflect the effectiveness of our policies in expanding employment opportunities. The rising labor force participation rate, now at 63.9 percent from 61.1 percent a year ago, is a sign of economic resilience. More Filipinos are joining the workforce, with a notable increase in youth employment, from 29.7 percent to 31.8 percent,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Despite these positive developments, Speaker Romualdez acknowledged the need for vigilance.
He pointed out that while employment has increased, the national unemployment rate slightly rose to 4.3 percent in January, from 3.1 percent in December, affecting 2.16 million Filipinos. Underemployment—or those seeking additional work—also increased to 13.3 percent (6.47 million individuals) from 10.9 percent in the previous month.
“Sa bawat datos, may kwento ng pagsisikap. Nakikita natin ang pagdami ng trabaho, pero may mga kababayan pa rin tayong naghahanap ng mas magandang oportunidad. Hindi ito dahilan para huminto tayo—dapat pa nating palakasin ang ating mga programa upang masiguro na ang trabahong nalilikha ay hindi lamang pansamantala, kundi pang-matagalan,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Speaker Romualdez also highlighted that while agriculture and services are experiencing strong employment growth, the manufacturing sector lost 209,000 jobs in January.
He emphasized the need to enhance industrial competitiveness to ensure that the country’s economic growth is balanced and generates stable, high-quality jobs.
Speaker Romualdez assured the public that Congress is fully committed to enacting measures that will support job creation and economic expansion across industries.
Among the key legislative priorities he outlined are:
• Expanding access to financing for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to help businesses grow and generate more jobs.
• Reducing bureaucratic barriers to attract investments and create more employment opportunities.
• Accelerating infrastructure development, particularly in rural areas, to spur economic activity beyond major urban centers.
• Enhancing technical-vocational education and apprenticeships to equip workers with skills needed by fast-growing industries.
• Encouraging local and foreign investments in manufacturing and high-value industries that offer long-term career opportunities.
“Hindi sapat na basta magdagdag ng trabaho. Ang kailangan natin ay mga trabahong may seguridad, disenteng kita, at may pag-asang umasenso. Dapat nating pagtuunan ng pansin ang paglikha ng oportunidad na magbibigay ng mas magandang kalidad ng buhay para sa ating mga manggagawa,” Speaker Romualdez emphasized.
The Leyte House leader reaffirmed that the government will build on these employment gains while addressing remaining challenges.
He called for strong collaboration among government agencies, businesses, and labor groups to craft policies that will sustain economic growth and job creation.
“Hindi tayo titigil hangga’t ang bawat Pilipino ay may pagkakataong umasenso sa sariling pagsisikap. Ang ating trabaho sa gobyerno ay tiyakin na ang paglakas ng ating ekonomiya ay hindi lamang panandalian, kundi pundasyon ng mas matatag at maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa ating bansa,” Speaker Romualdez concluded.
