President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. used Labor Day on Friday to commit his administration to expanding employment and reinforcing protections for workers, framing the occasion as a recognition of the Filipino labor force’s role in sustaining national progress.
Marcos described Filipino workers as the “backbone of our Republic” in his message, crediting them with driving the country forward amid shifting economic conditions and rapid changes across industries.
The President addressed workers directly in his statement: “Today, we honor every member of our workforce whose hands carry the weight of our shared future — whether at sunrise, beneath the noonday heat, or in the long hours when the nation sleeps.”
He acknowledged ongoing industry transformations but underscored the enduring centrality of Filipino labor. “Even as technology advances and industries transform, one truth endures: it is the Filipino worker who drives the Philippines forward and keeps the world in motion,” Marcos said.
On the government’s role, Marcos outlined a three-pronged direction: creating more and better jobs, strengthening worker protections, and widening access to economic opportunities. “As we face changing economic pressures, rest assured that this administration stands firm in defending the dignity of every Filipino by creating more and better jobs, boosting worker protection, and broadening pathways for all to succeed,” he said.
The President closed with a call for collective action, saying: “Together, let us fulfill this promise by fostering an environment that respects honest labor, safeguards livelihoods, and ensures that progress is accessible to ordinary families.”
