Maria Virginia Sy

Labor rights advocates join workers as they march along España Boulevard in Manila to mark Labor Day on Friday, May 1, 2026. The group pushed for higher wages, job security, and the protection of workers’ rights. Protesters attempted to proceed toward the US Embassy but were stopped by police along Kalaw Avenue during the mobilization.
Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Massive Labor Day protest demands wage hike, relief from soaring prices

Bea Cuadra

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1111795334496521%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>MANILA — Thousands of workers and activists led by the labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) transformed España Boulevard into a sea of red banners and placards on Friday morning, kicking off a massive demonstration to mark Labor Day.</p><p>The mobilization, joined by various labor groups and sectoral organizations, effectively halted traffic on both sides of the thoroughfare as protesters gathered to voice grievances over the rising cost of living and stagnant wages. Many participants were seen carrying hand-painted signs calling for economic relief.</p><p>Protesters have three primary demands, namely, the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, an immediate rollback of fuel prices, and a substantial increase in the national minimum wage.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=315&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F884545617978311%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>For many of those marching, the struggle is personal. Mody Floranda, president of the transport group Piston, asserted that the crisis facing the transport sector is a crisis for all workers. He laid out specific figures the group believes were necessary to provide immediate breathing room for drivers and the general public.</div><p>&quot;Ngayong araw ay pandaigdigang araw ng mga manggagawa. Ang una, ang panawagan ng manggagawa sa public transport ay yung pagbasura dito sa Oil Deregulation Law, yung pagtanggal ng excise tax at VAT sa langis, at yung kagyat na pag-rollback sa halagang P55 sa presyo ng diesel at P57 naman sa presyo ng gasolina,&quot; Floranda stated.</p><p>&quot;At kaakibat din nyan, yung ating panawagan na nakabubuhay na sahod—yung dagdag-sahod ng ating mga manggagawa na P1,200 sa buong bansa,&quot; he added.</p><p>The call for a P1,200 national minimum wage was a central theme throughout the morning’s speeches. Organizers pointed out that current wage levels were no longer sufficient to meet the &quot;living wage&quot; threshold.</p><p>The massive crowd has since begun its march toward Mendiola. </p><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div><div><br/></div><div><em></em><br/></div>

<p>Protesters filled both sides of España Boulevard on Labor Day, Friday morning, as various labor groups and sectoral organizations began their march toward Mendiola.</p>

Protesters filled both sides of España Boulevard on Labor Day, Friday morning, as various labor groups and sectoral organizations began their march toward Mendiola.