President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the 124th Labor Day Celebration with the theme “Disenteng Trabaho Para sa Lahat: Iisang Hangarin, Bagong Pilipinas Sama-Samang Mararating” at the KCC Convention and Events Center in General Santos City. He outlined ongoing government efforts to help more Filipinos secure decent jobs amidst rising oil and commodity prices.
Government Initiatives for Job Seekers
In his speech, Marcos acknowledged the hardships faced by Filipino workers daily. “We are working nonstop to look for ways to increase jobs, livelihoods, and opportunities for all of us. What we envision is decent work for every Filipino,” he said. The President assured that the government will expand opportunities through free training, job fairs, and attracting investments that provide quality jobs.
From June 2022 to February 2026, government-led job fairs assisted over 1.5 million Filipinos, with at least 250,000 hired on the spot. Additionally, the PHP2 trillion investments approved in 2025 are expected to create employment for at least 150,000 Filipinos. On Labor Day itself, 150,000 vacancies were available in nationwide job fairs.
Support for Overseas Filipino Workers
Beyond domestic job creation, Marcos emphasized strong government support for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly those wishing to return home amid the Middle East crisis. The government is ensuring adequate fuel supply, currently sufficient for 54 days, and various relief measures such as subsidies and discounts for drivers and the public to mitigate the impact.
The President concluded with a message in Bisaya: “Padayon, patuloy lang” (Carry on). “As the Filipino workforce keeps going, the government will sustain its support. We will overcome all obstacles. Our desire is decent jobs for all Filipinos towards a new Philippines,” he added.
