Senator Mark Villar called for a comprehensive employment strategy anchored on skills development, industry-responsive training, and stronger worker protection to address unemployment and underemployment.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the number of employed Filipinos reached 49.21 million in July 2026.
However, unemployment remained at 3.14 million, equivalent to 6.0 percent, while 6.33 million workers were underemployed. These figures highlight the continuing need to create better-paying jobs and improve employment conditions.
The Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) likewise identified unemployment and underemployment as persistent challenges in the Philippine labor market, underscoring the need for policies that promote sustainable and inclusive employment.
Villar said that job creation should not be measured solely by the number of positions generated, but also by the quality of employment, including fair compensation, job security, and opportunities for career advancement.
“Hindi sapat na makalikha lamang tayo ng maraming trabaho.”
“Hindi sapat na makalikha lamang tayo ng maraming trabaho. Dapat nating tiyakin na ang mga ito ay dekalidad, may sapat at makatarungang sahod, at nagbibigay ng oportunidad para sa pangmatagalang pag-unlad,” the legislator emphasized.
To help make employment more accessible, the lawmaker has advanced legislative measures aimed at reducing barriers for job seekers and connecting workers with available opportunities.
The senator’s proposed Kabalikat sa Hanapbuhay Act (Senate Bill No. 1272) seeks to ease the financial burden faced by indigent job seekers, while the Barangay Skilled Workers Registry Act (Senate Bill No. 1641) aims to facilitate the matching of skilled workers with employment opportunities within their communities.
He also highlighted the importance of preparing Filipino workers for technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence and automation, which continue to transform industries and job requirements. Villar’s proposed Workers’ Protection and Skills Development on Digital Economy Job Disruption Act (Senate Bill No. 649) seeks to strengthen worker protection and promote skills development amid changes in the digital economy.
“Ang tunay na layunin ng paglikha ng trabaho ay hindi lamang mabigyan ng hanapbuhay ang ating mga kababayan, kundi matiyak na mayroon silang kakayahan, proteksyon, at oportunidad upang umunlad.”
He further called for stronger collaboration among TESDA, educational institutions, and private companies to ensure that training programs keep pace with the changing demands of industries such as manufacturing, information technology, logistics, and tourism. Villar also recognized the need to support freelancers and other workers in the digital economy by expanding access to skills training, livelihood opportunities, and appropriate labor protection.
At the community level, he vowed to sustain MARKAbuhayan, the monthly job caravan of his Senate office, while continuing to pursue legislative reforms that expand employment opportunities and bring them closer to Filipino communities.
“Ang tunay na layunin ng paglikha ng trabaho ay hindi lamang mabigyan ng hanapbuhay ang ating mga kababayan, kundi matiyak na mayroon silang kakayahan, proteksyon, at oportunidad upang umunlad,” Villar said.
“Dapat nating ihanda ang ating mga manggagawa sa pangangailangan ng industriya at tiyaking may patas na pagkakataon silang makamit ang mas magandang kinabukasan,” he concluded.
