Speaker: Lower joblessness rate due to admin’s inclusive growth vision

MANILA, Philippines — The decrease in the unemployment rate recorded in February 2025 can be attributed to the current administration’s vision of inclusive growth, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said in a statement.

Romualdez said the decrease of unemployment rates—from 4.3 percent in January 2025 to 3.8 percent in February according to the Philippine Statistics Authority—is an encouraging sign that the Philippine economy is strong.

READ: Jobless rate eased to 3.8% in Feb—PSA

According to Romualdez, it also reflects President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to creating sustainable economic opportunities for Filipinos.

“This improvement in our labor market conditions reflects the growing strength and stability of our economy. It is proof that our policies are prudent and uplifting our people’s lives,” Romualdez said.

“Our President’s clear vision for economic growth is bearing fruit. We, in Congress, are ready to provide necessary legislative support aimed at strengthening investments to create more jobs and skills training to enable our workers to adapt and thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape,” he added.

The House leader also noted that there was an increase in employment, from 95.7 percent in January to 96.2 percent in February, which can be considered a significant step towards inclusive growth.

Underemployment figures, Romualdez said, also indicate that working conditions in the country have started to improve.

“With 49.15 million Filipinos now employed, we are seeing progress not just in numbers but in the lives of ordinary citizens,” he noted.

“Fewer Filipinos now feel the need to look for additional work. This means better quality jobs and improved working conditions are becoming more accessible,” he added.

What the country needs now according to Romualdez is to sustain the growth of the economy.

“Let us ensure that no Filipino is left behind in this journey. We will continue to champion policies that generate jobs, uplift industries, and secure a brighter future for every Filipino family,” he noted.

While the lower unemployment rates were taken by many as a sign of an improving economy, many skeptics believe the increase in jobs were brought by the election season—as candidates would need to hire more people for their respective campaigns.

Figures cited by an Inquirer report attributed the lower unemployment rate to hiring sprees made by candidates, along with the dry season opening several new jobs in the tourism industry.

READ: Poll campaign, dry season cut jobless to 2-month low

Leonardo Lanzona, a labor economist at Ateneo de Manila University, told the Inquirer that the job market received a second wind from the approaching midterm elections.

“The increase in employment can be attributed to election hiring as the elections draw near. Candidates are in full swing of their election campaign, and election funds are now being spent,” Lanzona said.

Malacañang meanwhile said that the government will sustain efforts to provide job opportunities for Filipinos.