The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) 11 recorded that employment rate in Davao Region reached 95 percent as of April this year, higher than the national employment rate of 93 percent.

Dole 11 regional director Joffrey M. Suyao, who guested on Monday’s (June 14) edition of Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Dabaw, said the employment figure in the region has improved from 91.7 percent during the same period last year.

“We are suspecting that this is reflective to the improvement of the agricultural sector, which is the biggest employment generator,” he said.

Suyao said the slump last year was attributed to the agricultural sector that was affected by Typhoon Pablo.

He said this year’s increase in employment rate “is a good and positive indication that there is a recovery in different sectors particularly in the agricultural sector.”

Unemployment also went down from 8.3 percent to 5 percent. Suyao said the decrease in unemployment rate was unexpected since during the month of April they usually expect that the unemployment rate to be higher due to entry of fresh graduates.

The date presented also showed underemployment rate went up from 14.7% in April 2013 to 19.5% in the same period this year. Suyao said underemployment rate in Davao region is much better compared to the other regions in Mindanao.

But Suyao pointed out that the data they have acquired are still the raw data and they are still awaiting for the analysis from the National Economic Development Authority.

(RJ Lumawag/SunStar Davao)