The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday said the improvement in the country's employment figures are the result of the strong collaboration between the government and stakeholders. 'First, I would like to mention that the employment improvements or employment gains you mentioned are the result of collaboration, active partnership and involvement, first, of what we call social partners - the workers, their representatives and the investors,' Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said at the second day of the Post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Discussions at the Hilton Manila in Pasay City. The labor chief also thanked other government agencies and local government units for their support. 'Secondly, your active partnership and convergence of various departments initiated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), to mention also Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH) is also with us and of course, the local government units are with us,' he said. 'There was a collective action and the Department of Labor and Employment will not claim it alone as our accomplishment or wins as far as the Department of Labor and Employment, the help, collaboration, and convergence of different departments is very important so that we can achieve that kind of employment rate,' he added. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during his second SONA on Monday, reported that the country's employment rate increased to 95.7 percent. 'And of course, we should not forget what our President mentioned - we are lucky to have what is called and to quote the President, 'An enormous pool of highly competent, dedicated..." and I will add, dependable workers, who serve with us. They are with us now, maybe we should applaud ourselves because we are part of the improvement, this is employment gains,' Laguesma said. Meanwhile, the DOLE, as the overall administrator and coordinator of the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), also reported that over 50,000 jobseekers were hired-on-the spot (HOTS) in 1,190 job fairs across the country since July 2022. A total of 325,418 jobseekers registered while 50,849 HOTS. Bolstering this gain is the signing of the joint operational guidelines for RA 11261 or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act which further expanded access to government service. On its implementation for 2022, 343,089 first-time jobseekers were assisted by DOLE in securing pre-employment documents such as Barangay Clearance, NBI Clearance, Birth Certificate and Certificate of Proficiency from concerned agencies. Laguesma said ensuring the provision of effective employment services is one of the primary mandates of DOLE which is recognized in the recently approved Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. 'Employment services are crucial in facilitating school-to-work transitions, eliminating barriers, and reducing costs in searching for and accessing employment opportunities,' he said in a statement. In the May 2023 Labor Force Survey, the employment rate was estimated at 95.7 percent, which was higher than the reported employment rate in the same period last year at 94.0 percent and in April 2023 at 95.5 percent

Source: Philippines News Agency