MANILA — The Philippine government has officially launched the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan, a comprehensive 10-year strategy aimed at transforming the nation’s labor market, creating quality jobs, and closing critical skills gaps across industries.
The announcement from the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) comes on the heels of the latest Labor Force Survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). According to preliminary data, unemployment slightly decreased to 1.93 million in March 2025, from 1.94 million in February, bringing the national jobless rate to 3.4%.
However, underlying labor concerns remain. National Statistician Dennis Mapa reported a reduction of about 1.2 million in both employment and the labor force, resulting in a labor force participation rate of just 62.9%—down from 65.3% in March last year. Many individuals cited education and family responsibilities as reasons for not actively seeking employment.
Adding to the concern, underemployment climbed to 13.4%, meaning roughly 6.44 million Filipinos are looking for longer hours or additional work—up from 11% a year ago.
“These indicators reflect the urgent need for systemic reforms in our labor market. The Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan is a timely and necessary intervention to address these long-standing issues,” said DEPDev Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Rosemarie Edillon.
The TPB Plan, launched earlier this week, is the country’s first long-term Labor Market Development strategy. It outlines a roadmap for creating sustainable employment, improving job satisfaction, and preparing the Filipino workforce for the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.
Core initiatives of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan include:
- Promoting lifelong learning and micro-credentials to address skill mismatches
- Strengthening collaboration with private industry to enhance curriculum, training, and job placements
- Implementing a national policy on continuous learning with measurable benchmarks
- Expanding access to competency-based education through programs like the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP)
- Encouraging inclusive and flexible work arrangements to boost labor force participation
- Accelerating technology adoption and innovation across priority sectors
- Using Program Convergence Budgeting to ensure strategic funding for high-impact employment programs
Edillon emphasized the need for a united effort to turn the Plan into action. “This is more than a policy—it’s a national commitment to build a workforce that’s resilient, competitive, and future-ready. With data-driven planning, strong industry partnerships, and collective purpose, we can create a labor environment where every Filipino has the opportunity to thrive,” she said.
As the global economy becomes increasingly complex and technology-driven, the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan aims to position Filipino workers at the forefront of progress—equipped with the right skills, meaningful employment, and pathways for advancement.