IEC Convention Center of Cebu, Pope John Paul II Avenue, Mabolo, Cebu City
May 1, 2018

Acknowledging the role of the labor force in society, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed an Executive Order (EO) that prohibits illegal contracting and subcontracting during his attendance at the 116th Labor Day celebration in Cebu.

With this year’s theme, ‘Pagpupugay sa Manggagawang Pilipino: Dangal ng Lahi at Kabalikat sa Progresibong Pagbabago’, the President emphasized that the government is doing its best to protect the welfare of the Filipino workforce and engage better employment opportunities for them.

“I assure you that this government will never cease in its efforts to provide every Filipino worker with full, dignified and meaningful employment. They deserve no less than decent and comfortable lives,” President Duterte said.

“We will bring jobseekers and entrepreneurs closer together with wide range of employment and business opportunities. We will provide various Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan Job and Business Fair sites nationwide, where more than 140,000 job vacancies from private employers will be made available,” he added.

President Duterte also urged Congress to amend and revisit the Labor Code, citing certain provisions in the law that needs to be addressed, and mentioned that the Executive Department could only implement what is stated in the existing law.

“I remain firm in my commitment to put an end to ‘ENDO’ and illegal contractualization. However, I believe that in order to implement an effective and lasting solution to the problems brought about by contractualization, Congress needs to enact a law amending the Labor Code. Alam mo dugay na ni — it’s outdated. I think Congress should come up with a new Labor Code to keep it attuned to the realities of our time,” he said.

He also gave a stern warning to employers who violate the welfare of Filipino employees, and ordered the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) “to submit to my office a list of all the companies engaged in or suspected to be engaged in labor-only contracting.”

“I will see to it that our laws are strictly enforced. The government will not rest until we end this shameful labor practice,” President Duterte said.

“Wala ko’y ginapaboran. (Don’t mess with me because I don’t favor anyone.) Ang akong oath of office, Filipino people. I am sworn to protect the people and preserve the Filipino nation,” the President ended.

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