From Ang Bayan: Workers Throughout The Philippines Hold Protests On IWD 2026

Ang Bayan Ngayon | May 3, 2026

Filipino workers protested and mobilized outside Metro Manila under the leadership of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) chapters to militantly mark International Workers’ Day on May 1. This coincided with the mobilization and march of thousands of workers and Filipinos in Manila led by the National Wage Coalition.

Workers and the Filipino masses from Luzon to Mindanao resounded their demands for wage increases, lower oil and commodity prices, and an end to the US-Israel war of aggression against Iran. Youth students, professionals, and church people strongly supported and joined the actions of the labor sector.

The Baguio City protest was launched at Igorot Garden. In Central Luzon, actions were held in Subic in Zambales, in Angeles City in Pampanga, and in Meycauayan in Bulacan. Hundreds of workers from Southern Tagalog launched a centralized march in Calamba City in Laguna. An action was also held in Legazpi City in Albay.

Hundreds of workers in Cebu City held a march in Colon and Fuente Osmeña Rotunda. Actions were also held in Tacloban City, Roxas City in Capiz, Iloilo City, and Bacolod City. More than 500 workers and activists protested in Davao city.

Unions and regional labor centers carried out pickets and local actions across different areas before the Labor Day actions. These included the submission of petitions for wage increases to the offices of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and the National Capital Region. They demanded that workers’ wages be raised to a living wage level.

The workers’ actions faced various types and forms of repression from state forces. This is an attempt by the Marcos regime to force workers to submit and suppress their militant spirit on International Workers’ Day.