DOLE credits decline in unemployment rate to ‘Build, Build, Build’

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The decline in the country’s unemployment rate can be attributed to the “Build, Build, Build” program of the administration, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Thursday.

“Yung pong sa pag-improve ng ating employment rate, syempre we can credit this easily doon sa ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program ng ating pangulo,” DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in an interview with Radyo INQUIRER.

“Dahil sa dami ng infrastructure project being implemented, talagang ang daming nabigyan ng employment opportunities,” he added.

Asked on the reason behind the decline in underemployment rate, Bello said it is thanks to better benefits of employees: “Ibig sabihin mas maganda na ang benefits nila.”

According to data released by Philippine Statistics Office on Wednesday, the unemployment rate in the country fell to 5.1 percent in April compared to 5.5 percent in April 2018.

Meanwhile, the underemployment rate or the proportion of those already employed, but still wanting more work fell to 13.5 percent from 17 percent. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)

READ: Gov’t: 1.3M jobs created in 12 months as April unemployment rate drops