Jobs, factory output post marked gains

The number of employed Filipinos went up to 50.66 million in June this year from 49.63 million in May, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

Results of the latest Labor Force survey showed that this was also higher than the 50.47 million employed in June 2025.

National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the employment rate during the month was at 95.1 percent.

Mapa said industries which recorded the largest increase in employment include accommodation and food service activities (+481,000), administrative support service activities (+456,000), public administration and defense (+440,000), education (+354,000), and arts, entertainment and recreation (+168,000).

 As this developed, the PSA also reported that factory output growth accelerated in June.

Results of the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI)  showed that the value of production index (VaPI) went up by 13.5 percent, faster than the 12.5 percent recorded expansion in May.

It was also higher than the 2.1 percent VaPI growth in June last year.

The PSA attributed the higher VaPI growth to the faster increase of manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products at 89 percent from 78.5 percent in May.

The faster increase of manufacture of food products and transport equipment also contributed to the higher VaPI growth during the month.

Labor force participation

The PSA also reported an increase in the country’s labor force participation rate (LFPR).

The LFPR during the month was recorded at 65.1 percent, higher than the 63.8 percent seen in May.

This is equivalent to 53.25 million Filipinos aged 15 years and over who are either employed or unemployed.

The underemployment rate also slightly improved to 12.1 percent in June from 12.2 percent in May.

The unemployment rate however slightly went up to 4.9 percent in June from 4.8 percent in May.

The number of unemployed was estimated at 2.59 million in June.

In a Viber message, Reyes Tacandong & Co. Senior Adviser Jonathan Ravelas said the latest labor force data suggests that fresh graduates are finding it tougher to land jobs due to the ongoing geopolitical risks.

“They are faced by geopolitical risks which create challenges in salaries and business opportunities, the threat of AI and a slowing economy,” Ravelas said.

Ravelas cited the need to create more entry-level opportunities in services, tourism, technology and other youth-intensive sectors.

Meanwhile, the volume of production index (VoPI) also recorded a faster annual increase of 10.1 percent from 9.1 percent in May.

In June 2025, the VoPI for manufacturing grew by 2.3 percent.

The higher growth was due to the faster increase of manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products, food products and transport equipment.

Based on the responding establishments, the average capacity utilization rate for manufacturing was at 78.9 percent. (PNA)