Duterte remains committed to workers' rights in Labor Day message

In his final Labor Day message before he steps down from office on June 30, President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday acknowledged the triumphs, as well as the challenges that the Filipino workers still face.

“On this day, we are given the chance to celebrate all the triumphs and progress that the labor movement has accomplished over the years. We are likewise reminded to overcome the challenges by recognizing the rights of our workers and reassessing the systems that may hinder their growth and development,” he said.

“This administration, even if it is coming nearly to a close, shall remain committed to providing the people with the opportunities they need to realize their full potential. It is my hope that this day recharges everyone as you continue to work for yourselves, your families and our nation,” he added.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco honored the laborers who work hard to provide for their own and their families’ needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We extend a special recognition of the low-wage earner who gets by, as well as our medical frontliners and other essential workers who we now realize impact our lives significantly during this pandemic,” he said.

“This occasion also reminds each one of us the importance of working hard in life, and that without hard work, nothing can be achieved.”

Labor Day job fair

On the other hand, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) organized a job and business fair in Pampanga on Sunday in celebration of Labor Day.

In his speech, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that the current COVID-19 situation in the country has allowed initiatives for faster labor market recovery in terms of quantity and quality of jobs.

He noted that through their National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS) Task Force, around 6.5 million individual beneficiaries and 270,000 establishments have been given assistance by DOLE.

“As we celebrate, therefore, Labor Day, it is our fervent hope that we remain committed and united in pushing full labor market recovery via the whole of society approach that the NERS Task Force has been pursuing,” he said. —LBG, GMA News