Employment situation in Eastern Visayas has improved in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said in its latest quarterly economic situationer report.

The region’s labor force participation rate jumped to 62.3 percent compared to 56.2 percent a year ago when the enhanced community quarantine was imposed and 61.4 percent pre-pandemic level in April 2019.

“In terms of employment, the region registered the highest employment rate of 95 percent since the quarantine restrictions began. This translates to a total of 1.9 million employed people, which is higher by 25.0 percent than in April 2020 and is only 0.2 percent short of the record in April 2019,” NEDA said in its report released on Monday.

At least 226,000 more workers within the age bracket of 15 to 60 years old joined the region’s labor market from April to June 2021.

“Joblessness went down to 5 percent and underemployment slipped to 15.5 percent from the year-ago rates of 14.3 percent and 21.8 percent, respectively,” the report added.

Employment is projected to go up with the expected availability of more jobs in all sectors.

In the agriculture sector, for example, the roll-out of training and assistance programs, such as the Special Area for Agricultural Development and the End Local Communist Armed Conflict programs for farmers and fisherfolk, would redound to more opportunities in the country, according to NEDA.

The Job and Business Fair of the Department of Labor and Employment was also instrumental in providing 1,269 local and overseas jobs during the period.

“Displaced tourism workers were also provided assistance by (the) labor department and the Department of Tourism into venturing in the services sector. Further, the increased adoption of e-commerce paves way to the increase in online retailers,” the report said.

The increased mobility by land, air, and sea transportation indicators also contributed to job generation this year, the report said. (PNA)