The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) renewed the clearance for the conduct of the 2020 Labor Force Survey (LFS) on 22 October 2019.

The survey is undertaken quarterly by the PSA to provide statistics on levels and trends of employment, unemployment, and underemployment in the country, as well as to provide a quantitative framework for the preparation of plans and formulation of policies affecting the labor market.

Some of the tables to be generated for the 2020 LFS include:

• Percent distribution of household population 15 years old and over, by employment status, by region, sex, and age group
• Percent distribution of employed persons by highest grade completed, major occupation group, major industry group, class of worker, total hours worked, and nature of employment
• Percent distribution of employed persons wanting more hours of work by total hours worked and major occupation group
• Percent distribution of unemployed persons by highest grade completed, by sex and age group
• Percent distribution of unemployed persons looking for work by job search method, number of weeks looking for work, by sex and region

A nationwide sample of about 42,768 households will be selected every quarter to gather information on employment. The survey will utilize a budget amounting to PhP 90.1 million to cover personal services, maintenance and other operating expenses, travelling expenses, supplies, and printing expenses.

Meanwhile, the results of the July 2019 LFS showed that:

• The employment rate of 94.6 percent was the same as recorded in July 2018.
• The labor force participation rate (LFPR) was estimated at 62.1 percent of the 73.1 million population aged 15 years old and over. LFPR is the percentage of the total number of persons in the labor force to the total population with age of 15 years old and over.
• Majority (57.8%) of the employed population are working in the services sector.
• The total number of underemployed persons in July 2019 was estimated at     6.0 million corresponding to an underemployment rate of 13.9 percent. Employed persons who expressed desire to have additional hours of work in their present job, or to have additional job, or to have a new job with longer working hours are considered underemployed.
• The unemployment rate or the proportion of unemployed persons to the labor force was estimated at 5.4 percent.

Results of the LFS can be accessed at: https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/survey/labor-and-employment/labor-force-su....

The 2020 LFS was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA No. 10625 to:

• ensure sound design for data collection;
• minimize the burden placed upon respondents;
• effect economy in statistical data collection;
• eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and
• achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins the public to support the said survey.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers
(02) 8376-1928 and (02) 8376-1931, and email address: ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

CLAIRE DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) landing page.