Mark Villar seeks more quality jobs, stronger protection for workers

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Mark Villar is calling for a comprehensive employment strategy focused on skills development, industry-responsive training, and stronger worker protection to curb unemployment and underemployment.

In a statement on Tuesday, Villar cited figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing the number of employed Filipinos reached 49.21 million in July 2026. However, unemployment remained at 3.14 million, equivalent to 6.0 percent, while 6.33 million workers were underemployed.

These figures, he stressed, call for the creation of better-paying jobs and improvement of employment conditions.

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READ: PH jobless rate inches up to 5.4% in September

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Villar cited the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD), which identified unemployment and underemployment as persistent challenges in the labor market.

“It’s not enough for us to create more jobs. We should make sure that these are of quality, have sufficient and fair wages, and give opportunities for long-term improvement,” he said in Filipino.

To achieve these goals, Villar has advanced legislative measures aimed at reducing barriers for job seekers and connecting workers with available opportunities.

Among these measures are the following:

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• Senate Bill No. 1272, or the proposed Kabalikat sa Hanapbuhay Act, which seeks to ease the financial burden faced by indigent job seekers
• Senate Bill No. 1641, or the proposed Barangay Skilled Workers Registry Act, which aims to facilitate the matching of skilled workers with employment opportunities within their communities
• Senate Bill No. 649, or the proposed Workers’ Protection and Skills Development on Digital Economy Job Disruption Act, which seeks to strengthen worker protection and promote skills development amid changes in the digital economy

He further called for stronger collaboration among the Technological Education and Skills Development Authority, educational institutions, and private companies to ensure that training programs keep pace with the changing demands of industries such as manufacturing, information technology, logistics, and tourism.

READ: Unemployment in the Philippines: 4 Common Misconceptions

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He also recognized the need to support freelancers and other workers in the digital economy by expanding access to skills training, livelihood opportunities, and appropriate labor protection.

At the community level, Villar vowed to sustain MARKAbuhayan, the monthly job caravan of his Senate office, while continuing to pursue legislative reforms that expand employment opportunities and bring them closer to Filipino communities.

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“The true goal of creating jobs is not only to give livelihoods to our countrymen but also to ensure that they will have the capability, protection, and opportunities to grow. We should prepare our workers for the needs of industries and make sure they will have equal opportunities to achieve a better future,” Villar said. /atm