Rise in unemployment amid COVID-19 crisis not surprising — Palace

Malacañang on Friday said the record-high unemployment rate in April was expected given the closure of most businesses due to restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Results of the Philippine Statistics Authority’s latest Labor Force Survey showed that the unemployment rate rose to 17.7%, equivalent to 7.3 unemployed Filipinos in April.

“We are saddened — albeit unsurprised — by the April 2020 unemployment rate,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

“This is an obvious effect of the economic shutdown when the entire Luzon area was in an enhanced community quarantine where most businesses were closed and many people were out of work and stayed at home.”

He said the government had implemented various forms of subsidies to assist affected workers.

Duterte imposed in March strict quarantine measures in Luzon, which accounts for 70% of the Philippines' economic output, to contain the spread of the virus, including sweeping restrictions on travel and mass gatherings and closure of schools and most businesses.

The government started easing restrictions in May in response to calls to partially reopen the economy and following reports of slowing infection rate and improving testing capacity.

Moving forward, Roque said the National Economic and Development Authority is preparing a comprehensive set of priority policies and strategies for production sectors, which include agriculture and fishery, industry, services and tourism, to enable the economy to recover and transition to the so-called “new normal.”

“A resiliency program, such as but not limited to active labor market programs, job matching and skills upgrading, is likewise being prepared to help insulate our people from future similar crises,” he said.

“Our nation is composed of resilient and hardworking people and we will stand united to weather this health crisis, and together, we will heal and recover as one.” — RSJ, GMA News