President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. paid tribute to Filipino workers on Labor Day, recognizing their resilience amid rapid technological change and shifting industries, while vowing to create better job opportunities and strengthen labor protections.
In his message on Friday, Marcos described Filipino workers as the “backbone of the Republic,” emphasizing their vital role in sustaining both the national economy and global industries. “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,” the President said. “Even as technolagy advances and industries transform, one truth endures: it is the Filipino worker who drives the Philippines forward and keeps the world in motion,” he added. Marcos acknowledged that workers continue to adapt and compete despite modern challenges, including automation and evolving economic demands. His statement came as labor groups marked Labor Day by raising longstanding concerns such as low wages, contractualization, and job insecurity. The Executive Chief renewed his commitment to building a nation “where hard work is rewarded and opportunity is real,” stressing that Labor Day should go beyond symbolic celebration. The President also vowed to expand job opportunities and strengthen labor protections, in paying tribute to the contributions of Filipino workers to the development of the country. “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. “Through your grit and sacrifice, families find stability, and the country finds strength. You are, and will always be, the backbone of our Republic,” he added. Marcos reiterated that workers remain central to his administration’s agenda, expressing optimism about achieving a “stronger, more equitable, and more hopeful” nation. “With you at the heart of our agenda, a stronger, more equitable, and more hopeful Bagong Pilipinas is well within reach,” he said.
