Palace hopes downward unemployment rate will continue as economy reopens

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has expressed hope that the number of unemployed Filipinos will continue to decrease as the economy reopens despite the persistent threat of COVID-19.

Earlier Thursday, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the number of unemployed Filipinos has gone down to 4.6 million in July from April’s 7.3 million.

“’Yan po ay mabuting balita na habang nagbubukas po ang ekonomiya, mas marami siyempreng nakapagtatrabaho na,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing.

(That’s good news and while we open the economy, more will be able to work.)

“Habang pinag-iingatan natin ang ating buhay eh magkakaroon po tayo ng hanapbuhay. Sana ay patuloy na po ito,” he added.

(As we take care of our lives, we will have our jobs. We hope this will continue.)

READ: PSA: 4.6 million Filipinos unemployed in July 2020

Roque reminded the public to continue practicing the minimum health standards like wearing face masks and face shields, as well as frequently washing hands, to protect themselves while working.

Many Filipinos lost their jobs since quarantine measures were imposed in many parts of the country since mid-March to avert the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that causes serious respiratory illness COVID-19. Such government measure has barred different business sectors from operating.

But the government has started to slowly allow the resumption of businesses as more areas, including Metro Manila, shifted to a more lenient lockdown or general community quarantine.

KGA