DOLE Director and Governor Highlight Ilocos Norte's 99.2% Employment Rate

“I believe this is the result of the partnerships among our government sector, local government units, PESO managers, national government agencies, and employers—all working together,” said Honorina Dian-Baga, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 1 Regional Director.

Ilocos Norte achieved a 99.2% employment rate in 2025, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) cited by the Philippine Information Agency. This figure represents the highest employment rate among all provinces in the country, a milestone highlighted during the first Ilocos Norte Employment and Workforce Excellence Program held on November 9 at the Dap-Ayan Commercial Building in Laoag City.

The province’s economic performance relies on a coordinated network of public and private actors. This synergy aims to bridge the gap between available labor and industry needs through various specialized interventions.

The high employment rate is tied to specific programs designed to address different segments of the labor market. These include the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), and the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).

Other initiatives, such as JobStart Philippines and various job fairs, focus on helping young people access employment and supporting small enterprises. Dian-Baga noted that these interventions demonstrate how coordinated efforts can address diverse needs, ranging from providing temporary income to supporting long-term skills development.

“True employment facilitation [does not] happen in isolation. It thrives because of the synergy between the [LGUs], our hardworking PESO managers, our forward-looking private sector partners, and the [NGAs],” Dian-Baga told the Philippine Information Agency.

The provincial government, working through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO), organized the recent recognition program to honor the various partners contributing to these workforce development gains.

While the 2025 statistics show a high level of current employment, the focus for the provincial administration is on long-term sustainability. The strategy involves a dual approach of attracting new business and refining the existing talent pool.

Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos stated that the provincial government is actively encouraging businesses to invest and expand within the province. This expansion is intended to create more local jobs and provide the workforce with opportunities to grow and succeed.

“We want to encourage more businesses to invest and expand in Ilocos Norte, creating more local jobs and providing our workforce with opportunities to grow and succeed,” said Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos.

The goal is to ensure that the current employment success is not a temporary spike but a stable foundation for the community. This requires constant alignment between what businesses need and what the local workforce is trained to do.

Anne Marie Liezette B. Atuan, the Ilocos Norte Public Employment Service Officer, emphasized that the impact of these partnerships is measured by more than just economic metrics.

“Excellence is not simply measured by awards or recognition, but by the lives we touch, the opportunities we create and the hope we bring to our communities,” Atuan said.

Through these ongoing partnerships, the provincial government intends to develop local talents and ensure more Ilocanos can access productive and meaningful work within their own province.