Manila, May 1 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Labor Day recognized Filipino workers as the Philippines' "backbone," and affirmed his administration's push to create more and better jobs for them.

"As we face changing economic pressures, rest assured that this administration stands firm in defending the dignity of every Filipino by creating more and better jobs, boosting worker protection, and broadening pathways for all to succeed," he said.

He said the Filipino workforce remains "at the heart" of the administration's agenda in building a "stronger, more equitable, and more hopeful" Philippines.

"We honor every member of our workforce whose hands carry the weight of our shared future - whether at sunrise, beneath the noonday he...