Total employment in the Philippines rose by 4.72 percent to 33.546 million in January 2007 from 32.031 million in the same period in 2006, local media reported on Sunday.

The increment translates into a total employment growth reaching 1.515 million nationwide, Secretary of Department of Labor and Employment Arturo D. Brion was quoted by Philippine News Agency as saying.

Brion said the growth boosted the nationwide employment rate to 92.2 percent in January 2007 compared to 91.9 percent in January 2006, and pushed down unemployment to 7.8 percent, from the previous 8.1 percent.

Services sector remained the country's No. 1 local employer, accounting for 50.5 percent of the total employed population of 33. 546 million in January 2007, said Brion.

Agriculture, fishing and forestry sectors accounted for 34.7 percent, followed by the industry sector, which accounted for 14.8 percent of the total employed Filipinos nationwide, he said.

Source: Xinhua