The Philippine Statistics Authority Region 7 (PSA 7) holds the 1^st Regional Data Dissemination Forum on the 2018-2020 Annual Provincial Labor Statistics on 19 May 2020 via blended set-up at Golden Peak Hotel & Suites, Cebu City. The Forum was attended by the different Regional Line Agencies in Central Visayas, members of the Regional Statistics Committee (RSC), academe, media personnel, PSA Central Office, Assistant National Statistician Wilma Guillen of Social Sector Statistics Service and keynote speaker from the Department of Labor and Employment 7 (DOLE 7) OIC-Assistant Regional Director Emmanuel Y. Ferrer.

As an overview of the Labor Force Survey (LFS), PSA 7 Chief Statistical Specialist Engr. Leopoldo P. Alfanta, Jr. presented the background of the LFS. He mentioned that the Annual Labor Statistics is derived by averaging the quarterly LFS data. It captures the labor and employment situation in all four quarters of the year rather than one single round estimate.

PSA 7 Regional Director Engr. Ariel E. Florendo presented the results of the 2018-2020 Annual Provincial Labor Statistics. He mentioned that this is the first release of the Annual Provincial Labor Statistics.  The release of the annual provincial labor statistics will provide granular data that can be used by the planners and policy makers at the sub-national level.

Furthermore, RD Florendo announced that the total population in the labor force in Central Visayas in 2020 was estimated at 3.19 million individuals. Among the provinces and HUCs in Central Visayas, provinces of Siquijor and Negros Oriental showed a slight increase in the total population in the labor force with 48 thousand and 612 thousand individuals, respectively.  Meanwhile, provinces of Bohol and Cebu including the Highly Urbanized Cities (Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City) showed a decrease in the total population in the labor force in 2020.

RD Florendo further added that Central Visayas showed a decline of 58.7 percent for Labor Force Participation Rate in 2020 as compared to the 62.1 percent in 2019. Similarly, all provinces including the Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) showed a decline in the Labor Force Participation Rate. 

In terms of Employment Rate, Central Visayas registered a lower employment rate in 2020 with 89.7 percent from 94.8 percent in 2019. Siquijor province registered the highest percentage with 95.1 percent, while, Cebu City registered the lowest percentage with 85.5 percent in 2020. 

On the other hand, Central Visayas showed an increase in the Unemployment Rate of 10.3 percent from 5.2 percent in 2019. Cebu City accounted the highest percent of unemployment rate with 14.5 percent in 2020. On the other hand, Siquijor Province accounted for the lowest percentage among provinces and HUCs with 4.9 percent in 2020. In terms of Underemployment Rate, Central Visayas posted an increase in 2020 with 15.8 percent from 14.7 percent in 2019. Bohol Province accounted the highest percentage with 32.3 percent, while, Negros Oriental province accounted the lowest percentage with 7.1 percent.

The data on the labor market statistics provides information and analysis essential to planning in the labor market sector. DOLE 7 OIC-ARD Emmanuel Y. Ferrer said in his keynote speech that the Labor Force Survey of PSA help them analyze, predict, and substantiate labor market trends and transitions. As part of DOLE’s mandate to deliver timely and relevant labor market information, DOLE engages its main stakeholders: industry, academe, labor, and employer groups to gather labor market signals, he added. OIC-ARD Ferrer ended his keynote speech by emphasizing the cooperation of citizens and institutions of which it is an integral part in providing accurate, timely, and credible data for statistical compilations that are crucial for policy analysis and development planning.

As part of the stakeholder’s participation, an open forum was conducted after the presentation of the results. Other agencies from onsite and virtual attendees and media personnel asked questions and clarifications on the data presented. 

PSA recognizes the contribution of the stakeholders and partner agencies from the data collection to data dissemination. Supervising Statistical Specialist of PSA 7,

Engr. Felixberto M. Sato, Jr. in his closing remarks mentioned the importance of an evidence-based policy making to ensure that program and projects can address to the most wanting sector of the society. He further added that the monthly LFS is in response to the need to know the current labor situation in the Philippines amidst the pandemic.  PSA is committed to deliver quality and relevant statistics for equitable development towards improve quality of life for all Filipinos.