Sancho: NEDA data needs to be authenticated
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

In response to the recent report released by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) claiming both unemployment and underemployment are down, local labor group General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) said the findings are inaccurate.
In an exclusive interview with Watchmen Daily Journal, GAWA Secretary-General Wennie Sancho used the example of nurses working as call center agents.
“Isn’t that underemployment?” he asked. “A number of professionals are working in areas not in their specialization.”
The labor advocate said the NEDA data needs to be authenticated.
The issue was raised by Biñan City lone district Rep. Marlyn Alonte, who showed the report claiming underemployment dropped from 17.2 percent in 2018 to 14.3 percent this year. In addition, their figures also showed unemployment dropped 5.2 percent between January and July.
“The employment rate continues to rise and the underemployment rate continues to fall,” the congresswoman affirmed. “[This is] good news the Filipino people.”/DGB, WDJ