By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Thousands of workers, teachers, drivers, and activists flooded Metro Manila and key cities on Friday’s Labor Day protests, pressing for a P200 daily wage hike, tax cuts on fuel and basic goods, and an end to contractualization.
Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) led marches from España Boulevard to Mendiola, with protesters occupying both lanes and chanting calls for a “living wage.” Barricades blocked routes leading to Malacañang as police secured the area.
Authorities flagged several rally points, including Liwasang Bonifacio, the U.S. Embassy, Welcome Rotonda, the University of Santo Tomas, St. Joseph’s College, and UP Diliman. The U.S. Embassy advised its citizens to avoid the demonstrations and announced it would be closed for the holiday.
At Welcome Rotonda, workers from various industries gathered for a program highlighting labor issues before marching to Mendiola. KMU chair Jerome Adonis described May 1 as a “day of reckoning” over what he called government neglect.
Key demands included a P200 across-the-board wage hike pushed by the Federation of Free Workers. A related House bill was passed in June 2025, but Congress adjourned before reconciling it with the Senate’s P100 proposal.
Labor and business groups also jointly called for the suspension or removal of VAT on fuel, electricity, and basic commodities, citing “unsustainable pressure” on both livelihoods and businesses.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers marched to Malacañang to push for a P50,000 entry-level salary, citing overcrowded classrooms and out-of-pocket expenses shouldered by teachers. ACT chair Ruby Bernardo said, “Tatlong taon na po, walang pagtaas sa sahod… ang sinasabi ng gobyerno: magtiis.”
Other proposals included a P5,000 monthly wage subsidy for minimum wage earners, backed by the TUCP, and calls from labor advocates in Quezon City for an end to contractualization and a P1,200 living wage.
Metro Manila’s daily minimum wage stands at P695, the highest in the country, while the lowest is P411 in the Bangsamoro region. IBON Foundation estimates the national average daily wage at P503—around P750 short of the family living wage.
Unemployment rose to 5.1% in February from 3.8% a year earlier, while 5.84 million Filipinos remain underemployed.
President Marcos described workers as the nation’s “backbone” but did not announce a wage increase. The Department of Labor and Employment earlier ruled out a nationwide hike, saying wage adjustments remain under regional wage boards unless Congress enacts a national policy.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) placed all units on heightened alert from April 30 to May 2. More than 106,000 officers were deployed nationwide, with Civil Disturbance Management units equipped with body-worn cameras. PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the aim was “not to suppress, but to secure,” adding that no credible threats had been monitored.
Similar protests were reported across Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Negros, Cebu, Panay, Davao, Baguio, Pampanga, Bataan, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, and Iligan. In Cebu, Workers for People’s Liberation marched from GMC Plaza, citing 4.1% inflation in March amid stagnant wages.
At UP Diliman, former rebels and parents staged a separate protest over student safety concerns.
Labor Day in the Philippines dates back to May 1, 1903, when more than 100,000 workers marched from Tondo to Malacañang to demand fair wages under American rule. It was declared a national holiday in 1908.
ia/xf
