ANGELES CITY — Workers’ groups and sectoral representatives staged a Labor Day protest at Plaza Miranda in Angeles City on May 1, demanding regular employment, living wages, and accessible public services for all Filipinos. The mobilization was led by the Alyansa ng Manggagawa sa Bataan – Workers for People’s Liberation (AMBA-WPL).
AMBA-WPL Chairperson Noel De Mesa decried the persistent issues of contractual labor and depressed wages, citing findings from the 2025 Labor Force Survey: 77% of Filipino workers remain in the informal sector, while only 19% enjoy regular employment. Protesters also drew attention to worsening living conditions, noting that 60% of families in the National Capital Region reside in unsafe or substandard housing, and 30% of Filipinos reported experiencing hunger within the past three months.
Josh Camacho of Youth for National Democracy (YND) – Bataan emphasized that poverty continues to deprive many young Filipinos of educational opportunities. “Low family income is forcing students to drop out, denying them the chance for a better future,” he said.
The demonstrators called for genuine national industrialization, robust labor protections, and enhanced public services as essential pillars of national progress. They underscored that their struggle extends beyond workers’ rights, aiming to uplift the broader Filipino populace.
The Angeles City protest formed part of a nationwide series of Labor Day demonstrations urging the government to adopt pro-worker policies and prioritize the needs of marginalized communities.