President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday vowed to continue prioritizing the welfare of Filipino workers by providing the vital opportunities to achieve their full potential.

“Asahan po ninyo na hindi kailanman magpapabaya ang inyong pamahalaan sa larangan ng paggawa at empleyo, lalo na sa ilalim ng aking pamamalakad. (You can expect that your government will never neglect the field of labor and employment, especially under my administration),” the President said during the 121st Labor Day celebration at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

“Bilang Pangulo, ipinapangako ko na ang proteksyon para sa mga manggagawang Pilipino ay mananatiling pangunahing prayoridad ng aking administrasyon (As President, I promise that protection for Filipino workers will remain a top priority of my administration),” he added.

Marcos instructed government agencies to remain steadfast in improving their various programs to sustain the access to employment and improvement of workers’ employability and productivity.

“Kaya inaatasan ko ang lahat ng mga kaugnay na ahensya, lalong-lalo na ang DOLE, na manatiling nakatuon sa paghahatid ng mga maiinam na programang panghanapbuhay at sa paglinang sa kaalaman at kasanayan ng ating mga manggagawa (I therefore enjoin all relevant agencies, especially DOLE [Department of Labor and Employment], to remain committed to the delivery of good employment programs and the cultivation of the workers’ knowledge and skills),” the President said.

At the event, the President visited the stalls of 65 businesses and 130 sellers participating in the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) para sa mga Manggagawa.”

In March, Marcos launched the “KNP Para sa Manggagawa” at the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines head office in Quezon City as part of the continuing expansion of Kadiwa centers nationwide.

The program is aimed at giving a platform for Filipino farmers, fisherfolk and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to generate more income through direct farm-to-consumer trade.

Kadiwa centers, now numbering 300 nationwide, seek to ensure a stable price and supply of food and other basic commodities in areas where poor families live.

Housing, livelihood aid

Marcos also led the ceremonial distribution of various DOLE assistance packages to 20,165 beneficiaries in the National Capital Region, amounting to PHP162.23 million.