SMX Convention Center, Pasay City
May 1, 2025
“Bawat taon, tuwing Mayo Uno, lagi tayong ipinagdiriwang at pinaparangalan ang pinakamahalagang yaman ng ating bayan – ang ating manggagawang Pilipino… Kayo po ang pundasyon at haligi ng lipunan, hindi lamang dito sa Pilipinas kundi sa iba’t ibang bansa pati. Wala po kaming maitutumbas sa inyong sakripisyo kundi ang tapat na paglilingkod at patuloy na pagsisikap na makalikha ng disenteng trabaho at makataong kondisyon sa paggawa, upang maiangat ang kalidad ng buhay ng bawat manggagawa, mamamayan, at pamilyang Pilipino,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remarked when he led the 123rd Labor Day Celebration at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
In his message, the President proudly announced that from 2022 to 2024, the Philippines secured US$27 billion in foreign investments and over PhP4.35 trillion in local investments, as recorded by the country’s Investment Promotion Agencies, which are projected to generate more than 352,000 jobs.
“Bilang selebrasyon ng Araw ng Manggagawa, mula ika-dalawampu’t tatlo ng Abril hanggang ikalawa ng Mayo, magsasagawa tayo ng job fairs sa animnapu’t siyam (69) na lugar sa buong bansa,” he continued.
He also emphasized the government’s investment in workforce development, highlighting the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) ongoing efforts to strengthen the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track in senior high school. He cited the 2024 passage of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act, a modern and industry-aligned training program designed to ensure job readiness and immediate employment.
The Chief Executive reiterated the Administration’s commitment to improving the lives of Filipino workers through infrastructure development, access to affordable goods like rice, nationwide establishment of permanent Kadiwa Centers and the expansion of programs for social safety nets. He reaffirmed the government’s continued support for surviving spouse pensioners and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) – a gesture of gratitude and respect to the country’s workforce whose dedication brings honor and progress to the nation.
To promote labor rights and welfare, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma presented the newly signed Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs). One MOA is between DOLE and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for the Labor Intervention for Financial and Economic Empowerment (LIFE) Project while the other MOA is among DOLE, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Registration Authority (LRA), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for data-sharing of properties.
The President commended the 2025 awardees of The Outstanding Workers of the Republic (TOWER) who have shown excellence and dedication in their respective fields. He thanked the Rotary Club of Manila and the People Management Association of the Philippines for bestowing this recognition.
“Nawa’y maging inspirasyon ng bawat manggagawa ang galing at pagsisikap ng mga pinarangalan. Pinapatunayan nila na nasa kamay natin ang pag-asa para sa isang Bagong Pilipinas. Sila ay mga Bagong Pilipino na nagpapakita ng disiplina, husay, at pagmamahal sa inang bayan,” President Marcos Jr. ended in his speech.
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