📋 Tender Overview
The results of the April 2020 Labor Force Survey showed that Region 10 posted an employment rate of 88.9 from 95.0 in April 2019 that is a decrease in the employed persons by around 400 thousand from 2.302 million in April 2019 to 1.883 million persons employed in April 2020.Department of Labor and Employment DOLE region 10 said this decrease is attributed by the effects of Corona Virus Disease COVID-19 economic shutdown to the labor market. However compared to the national rate Region 10s employment rate of 88.9 is higher than the national average of 82.3 by 6.6 percentage points.DOLEs campaign for business establishments to adopt Flexible Work Arrangements as alternative to closure of business operation contributed to the preservation of employment.Also unlike other cities in the country which implemented total lockdown Cagayan de Oro City the regional center where majority of business establishments are located did not implement Enhanced Community Quarantine ECQ or total lockdown. As such a number of private establishments continued to operate under Flexible and Other alternative work arrangements FWA explained DOLE 10.This is evident on the result of applications received on COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program CAMP where a significant number of establishments reported to have resorted to FWA instead of temporary or permanent closure.Meanwhile unemployment rate in the region was registered at 11.1 percent. This is the highest recorded unemployment rate since 2005 based on Philippine Statistics Authority.Unemployment rate in January 2020 was reported at 3.2 percent while April 2019 unemployment rate posted at 5.0 percent. The region moreover recorded the lowest unemployment rate among the 17 regions of the country.Underemployment rate in April 2020 registered at 29.4 percent from 21.7 percent in January 2020. In April 2019 it is posted at 21.7 percent. This translates to an increase in the underemployed persons by around 54000 from 499000 underemployed persons in April 2019 to 553000 persons underemployed in April 2020. The result on the regions underemployment justifies observations that the regions employment rate is higher compared to other regions because a significant number of private establishments chose to implement FWA instead of temporary or permanent closure thereby increasing the number of employed persons looking for additional work additional workdays or additional hours of work.As we move towards the new normal with the easing up of community quarantine restrictions we are hopeful that we could also slowly regain the lost employment said Atty. Joffrey M. Suyao DOLE regional director. One concern that needs to be addressed is the return of overseas workers and Balik Probinsiya beneficiaries who could put pressure on our available employment opportunities. As such it is necessary to support job creation measures of the economic sector to increase employment opportunities while DOLE continues to advocate for flexibility in work arrangements in order to preserve existing employment Atty. Suyao concluded.
