Sen. Joel Villanueva warned that the increase in the country’s unemployment rate to 4.8 percent in May 2026, equivalent to 2.50 million jobless Filipinos, points to deeper labor issues that require urgent government action.
He noted that the agriculture and forestry sectors suffered the biggest employment losses, with 905,000 jobs disappearing year-on-year, while the country’s dependence on imported rice continues to grow.
Villanueva cautioned that relying on importation instead of strengthening local agriculture could further reduce employment opportunities for farmers and fisherfolk.
He called for the full implementation of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, which aims to create quality jobs and improve workforce competitiveness through a 10-year national employment plan.
The senator stressed that protecting jobs, boosting food security, and strengthening domestic production must go hand in hand to achieve long-term economic resilience.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 12, 2026
