DEPDev Tasked to Identify Gaps in National Labor Master Plan Amid Rising Unemployment

SENATOR Joel J. Villanueva has called on the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) to come up with an account of gaps and progress of the implementation of the national labor master plan following rise in jobless rate. In a press statement on Thursday, Mr. Villanueva, who chairs the Labor committee, raised concerns over the unemployment rate, which rose to 6% in July from 5.3% in July 2025, noting that it demonstrates the need to assess the implementation of the government’s 10-year labor master plan. “The rise in the unemployment rate to 6% from 5.3% a year ago shows that job creation is not keeping pace with the growing number of Filipinos entering the labor force,” he said. The Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan, established through the Republic Act No. 11962, aims to create jobs, advance business opportunities, address skills mismatch, and respond to the digitalization of the labor market. Mr. Villanueva added that the monthly labor force survey must not only reveal the statistics on how many Filipinos are searching for work but also serve as guide for agencies like the Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to determine the sectors in need of job generation. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel