THE Department of Labor and Employment – Davao Region (Dole-Davao) attributed the region’s high employment rate to government initiatives and investor confidence.
Dole-Davao Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy shared this during their regional cluster operating meeting in Manila, noting that the Davao Region has the highest employment rate compared to neighboring regions.
“The most important thing is, I think the program of also the government and maybe investors also I would say have given their trust to put more capital in our region, that’s why we have a big number of employment rate,” Pensoy said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, February 10, 2025, at SM City Davao.
According to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, Davao Region’s employment rate rose to 97.5 percent in October 2024, up from 97.1 percent in 2023.
However, the region’s labor force participation rate (LFPR) slightly declined to 63.7 percent from 63.9 percent in the same period. Despite this, Pensoy emphasized that the overall labor force has grown in 2024.
“So taas atoang employment rate so if we compare it with our underemployment rate (Our employment rate is high compared to our underemployment rate),” he said.
The region’s underemployment rate also improved, dropping 4.3 percent in October 2024 from 7.3 percent in 2023. Meanwhile, unemployment decreased from 2.9 percent in October 2023 to 2.5 percent in October 2024.
Based on the October 2024 Preliminary Employment Situation in the Davao Region, around 63.7 percent of the 3.87 million individuals aged 15 and above were part of the labor force, slightly lower than the 63.9 percent LFPR recorded in the same period in 2023.
mong the 17 regions in the Philippines, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) recorded the highest LFPR at 70.1 percent, while the Bicol Region had the lowest at 58.5 percent.
Pensoy noted that employment data for January to February 2025 is not yet available.
Among the 17 regions in the Philippines, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) has the highest LFPR at 70.1 percent, while the Bicol Region has the lowest at 58.5 percent.
He also said that they do not yet have data on the employment, underemployment, and unemployment rates in the region for January to February 2025. RGP
