The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Catanduanes has started conducting the February 2021 Labor Force Survey (LFS) from Feb. 8 to 24 as the first in the series of monthly LFS.
The monthly survey of the labor situation is pursuant to PSA Board Resolution No. 08, Series of 2020 – Approving to Conduct of the Monthly LFS.
The monthly LFS aims to provide high frequency statistical information on the Philippine labor market to better understand the current situation of employment and the economy of the Philippines during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the monthly LFS will be composed of core questions to generate the core labor and employment indicators including relevant indicators for the COVID-19 recovery program.
For Catanduanes, a total of 96 households from seven (7) sample barangays will be interviewed by four (4) hired Statistical Researchers of PSA Catanduanes thru face-to-face interview. Minimum public health, and safety standards against the COVID-19 during all phases of the field operations will be strictly observed.
Results of October 2020 LFS shows that Bicol Region registered an employment rate of 91.8% which is lower compared to the registered 95.4% in October 2019 and relatively higher compared to registered 90.9% employment rate in July 2020. Unemployment rate in Bicol Region was recorded at 8.2% in October 2020 which was higher compared to the registered 4.6% in October 2019 and lower compared to recorded 9.1% in July 2020 while underemployment rate was registered at 29.1% in October 2020 which was higher compared to 26.2% registered in October 2019 and 23.3% registered in July 2020.
The authority and mandate of the PSA to conduct the survey emanates from R.A. 10625. Like any other surveys undertaken by the PSA, the data to be gathered in the said survey are for statistical purposes only and will be published in summary forms. Information obtained from the respondents are held STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL and are not used for investigation, taxation and law enforcement purposes and are not be divulged to any person except authorized PSA personnel acting in the performance of their duties.