Jobless rate hits 26.1 pct: survey

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The latest data released by independent Social Weather Station (SWS) showed that around 26.1 percent of Filipinos were unemployed by the end of June. Official said today that concerned agencies should review their job measures and try to create more jobs.

The survey, which covered 1,200 respondents nationwide from June 28 to 30, identified jobless as adults in the labor force or those aged 18 and above who are without a job at present and looking for a job.

The result of the survey, which was released Monday, showed that the unemployment rate in June was a little higher than the 25. 4 percent based on similar survey in March. However, it is much higher than the official unemployment rate of 7.3 percent in July.

The survey also showed an increase in the number of men who became jobless or 19.2 percent in June, up from 17.3 percent in March, while it hardly changed in the number of women who were jobless at 35.8 percent from 35.4 percent.

Philippines' Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte responded to the latest survey, saying that concerned agencies like the Department of Labor and Employment and the National Economic and Development Authority would look at the survey results and compare it with the unemployment data of the government.