The Department of Labor and Employment in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DOLE-CAR) credited the region’s high 97.8 percent employment rate to the strong collaboration among local government units (LGUs), agencies, and stakeholders.

“LGUs are receptive to new companies. They have Public Employment and Services Offices (PESO) in all municipalities, and because businesses pass through them, they help facilitate operations, especially in the hiring of employees,” DOLE-CAR Regional Director Imelda Romanillos said in an interview on Wednesday.

Romanillos emphasized that the achievement reflects the collective efforts of government agencies, non-government organizations, employers, and job seekers.

“This would not have been possible without everyone coming together and helping one another… to achieve this,” she said during the opening of the World Café of Opportunities (WCO) job fair at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center on Sept. 8

The WCO matches Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) scholars and alumni with employers and livelihood providers.

A day later, the Civil Service Commission also hosted a job fair, offering over 1,000 permanent government positions.

According to the June 2025 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Cordillera posted a 97.8 percent employment rate, 2.2 percent unemployment, and 14 percent underemployment. This marks an improvement from May’s 97.3 percent employment.

Romanillos noted that the figures cover workers aged 15 to 64 in both government and private sectors, with services as the main driver, alongside industries, agriculture, construction, and mining.

She cited frequent job fairs led by PESOs and DOLE, with support from other government agencies providing essential documents for job seekers, as crucial factors behind the gains.

“These are all the efforts the government is making for you, so you can have decent livelihoods and be able to provide for the needs of your families,” she said.

Romanillos added that programs such as “Trabaho Para sa Bayan,” co-chaired by DOLE and the Department of Trade and Industry, are also strengthening livelihood and job creation efforts.

She, however, acknowledged the challenge of addressing the remaining 2.2 percent unemployment and urged stakeholders to sustain and build on the progress. (PNA)