House suspends session before Christmas break after historic 2026 national budget approval – Photo from House of Representatives/Facebook
House Speaker Faustino Dy III said lawmakers would continue advancing measures aimed at improving the welfare of Filipino workers, acknowledging persistent issues in workplaces.
In his Labor Day message, Dy said many workers still struggled with concerns over wages, benefits, job security, and working conditions.
He said the House would keep pushing policies that aim to strengthen protection, expand opportunities, and uphold the dignity of laborers.
Dy also emphasized that workers remain central to the country’s economic activity, noting that their contributions keep industries running.
He added that it is the government’s responsibility to match workers’ efforts by ensuring their welfare is protected.
Labor groups, however, marked Labor Day with protests, renewing calls for a Php 1,200 wage increase amid rising prices linked to global and domestic pressures.
Some groups said workers continue to face economic hardship, citing the impact of ongoing tensions in the Middle East on food and fuel costs.
In congress, proposals such as the national minimum wage bill remain pending, with some lawmakers earlier raising concerns over delays in passing measures seen as critical to addressing workers’ purchasing power.