FILE President Rodrigo Duterte (Screengrab from a video posted on the RTVM Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte, on Labor Day, vowed to uphold and protect workers’ rights as he honored healthcare workers and essential frontliners who continuously battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his message, Duterte said Filipinos have found a “new meaning” in the commemoration of Labor Day due to the public health crisis.
The President lauded Filipino workers, especially the frontliners in the essential sectors, who “have tirelessly toiled these past several months to ensure that our society will continue to function in the face of an unprecedented health crisis that crippled industries around the world.”
“On behalf of a grateful nation, I express my deepest gratitude to our hardworking healthcare workers and essential frontliners for their unwavering commitment in ensuring the unhampered delivery of goods and services that continue to sustain our communities and industries during these difficult times,” he said.
The President also assured all workers, including those abroad, that his administration will work hard to improve their welfare and uphold their rights.
“To all Filipino workers here and abroad, let me assure you that this administration will endeavor to work as vigorously as you have in creating an environment where security of tenure, statutory labor standards and workers’ rights are not only upheld and protected, but also cherished as the foundations of a strong and thriving workforce,” Duterte said.
“Together, let us rebuild a stronger and more resilient society that we can probably leave behind the succeeding generations of Filipinos,” he went on.
The Philippines marked Labor Day as Metro Manila and its adjacent provinces remained under modified enhanced community quarantine.