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.
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), 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.
Despite these positive developments, Romualdez acknowledged the need for vigilance.
He pointed out that while employment has increased, the national unemployment rate slightly rose to 4.3% in January, from 3.1% in December, affecting 2.16 million Filipinos. Underemployment—or those seeking additional work—also increased to 13.3% (6.47 million individuals) from 10.9% in the previous month.
“In every data, there is a story of effort. We see an increase in jobs, but we still have our countrymen looking for better opportunities. This is not a reason for us to stop—we must further strengthen our programs to ensure that the jobs created are not just temporary, but long-term,” he said.
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.
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; and encouraging local and foreign investments in manufacturing and high-value industries that offer long-term career opportunities.
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.
