Manila, Sept. 8 -- The government will strengthen support for workers and businesses and sustain efforts to create quality jobs, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said Tuesday.

DEPDev made the statement following mixed results of the July 2026 Labor Force Survey (LFS), showing that the labor force participation rate (LFPR) was estimated at 63.6 percent, equivalent to 52.36 million Filipinos aged 15 years and above who are in the labor force.

The LFPR in July was higher than 60.7 percent recorded in the same month last year.

The number of employed Filipinos rose to 49.21 million from 46.05 million in July last year.

The employment rate was at 94 percent, with the services sector continuing to account for the...