Oriental Mindoro grapples with 117,000 jobless, underemployed residents

CALAPAN CITY — More than 117,000 residents of Oriental Mindoro were either unemployed or underemployed during 2025, according to the latest employment statistics released by the Philippine Statistics Authority this week.

The data breaks down into two distinct categories of labor market distress: approximately 21,000 residents were wholly unemployed and actively seeking work, while an additional 96,000 were underemployed—holding jobs but seeking more hours or better employment opportunities.

Underemployment, which accounted for roughly 82 percent of the total figure, reflects a broader challenge across the province where available work fails to fully utilize the labor force or provide adequate income. This situation points to structural employment gaps that extend beyond simple joblessness.

The employment figures come as Oriental Mindoro, like other provinces across the Philippines, continues navigating economic headwinds. The statistics provide a snapshot of the province's labor market conditions and suggest the need for targeted job creation and skills development initiatives to address both unemployment and the quality of available work.