CONSTRUCTION worker Jaime Factores had a good Christmas and New Year’s Eve, as construction progress remained steady on the condominium project in Quezon City.
Grateful for his employment, he shared that having a steady job allowed him to meet his family’s daily needs with ease.
“We’ve been working continuously, sir, up until now,” Jaime Factores, Construction Worker said.
“Of course, you have to make a living, and provide food and education for the children,” Factores added.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the construction industry had the largest increase in the number of employed individuals in December on a year-on-year basis.
From 4.31 million, the number of workers in the industry increased to 5.08 million.
National Statistician Usec. Dennis Mapa said that the construction of homes significantly contributed to the increase in jobs in the construction industry.
This includes the housing program of the Marcos administration.
“Housing has made a significant contribution here. So I understand, for example, our government has big housing projects. So it could be here. Because of what’s written here, there’s a substantial construction of residential buildings and also non-residential,” Usec. Dennis Mapa, National Statistician stated.
Over 50 million Filipinos employed in December—PSA
Overall, there was an increase in the number of employed Filipinos in December 2023, slightly rising to 96.9% from 95.7% in the same month of 2022. The 96.9% employment rate corresponds to over 50 million Filipinos employed.
Aside from the construction industry, employment also increased in the agriculture and forestry, accommodation and food services activities, transportation and storage, and human health and social work activities sectors.
However, there has been a notable year-on-year decline in the number of unemployed individuals.
PSA records significant decline in whole, retail trade for December
Despite the increase in job opportunities in the said industries, there was a significant decline in the wholesale and retail trade in December, particularly in the food sector.
This trend persisted even during the holiday season.
Mapa explained that inflation had a significant impact, causing Filipinos to slow down their spending on food consumption products.
“Inflation really has an impact on food consumption. So it also showed here,” Usec. Dennis Mapa, National Statistician said.
Meanwhile, the PSA sees a continuous increase in the number of employed Filipinos in January 2024.
