THE PHILIPPINES

Jobless Figures Rise: Unemployment in the Philippines rose to 9.71% of the work force in July, the government said, as the expanding economy failed to create enough jobs to keep pace with population increases. A year ago, the unemployment rate was 8.58%. The estimated labor population rose by more than 1 million from 41.152 million in July, 1993, to 42.366 million. The labor force, or the number of people of working age looking for jobs, rose 2% to 27.340 million. Gross domestic product grew 5.1% in the first half of 1994, more than double the 2.3% rate a year before, the National Statistics Office said.