COTABATO CITY — In celebration of Labor Day, the Bangsamoro Government paid tribute to the region’s workforce while launching a successful job fair that drew hundreds of job seekers and dozens of employers from across various industries.
Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua led the commemoration on May 1 at the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) Grounds, Bangsamoro Government Center, highlighting the crucial role of workers in the region’s development.
“Our workers are not just development partners; they are the foundation of a just, peaceful, and thriving Bangsamoro,” Macacua said in his address. “You carry not only the dreams of your families but also the dreams of an entire region.”
The celebration, themed “Manggagawang Bangsamoro, Kaagapay sa Pag-unlad, Sandigan ng Mas Matatag na Bagong Pilipinas,” emphasized that sustainable progress in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) depends on decent job creation and uplifting the lives of its people.
As part of the day’s activities, the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE), in partnership with various companies and government agencies, organized a job fair that offered numerous employment opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, education, healthcare, and retail. Several applicants were hired on the spot.
Among those immediately hired was 44-year-old Edrudin Edzhlama of Cotabato City, who had been jobless for nearly two years before being employed by 3ME Agencies.
“I didn’t expect to be hired right away, so I’m incredibly grateful for this event. It’s a huge help to job seekers like me,” Edzhlama shared, pledging to work hard and honor the trust placed in him.
MOLE Minister Muslimin Sema reiterated the ministry’s commitment to addressing unemployment and promoting equal employment access across the region.
“It has always been MOLE’s mission to promote and provide equal employment opportunities and develop human resources across the Bangsamoro region,” Sema said. He encouraged newly hired workers to embrace the opportunity and fulfill their responsibilities with diligence.
The job fair was open to individuals regardless of educational background, age, profession, or physical ability. In addition to job placements, attendees also availed of career coaching, skills profiling, and on-site registration with partner agencies such as the Pag-IBIG Fund and cooperatives.
Chief Minister Macacua also highlighted ongoing government initiatives to support workers, including the Bangsamoro Rural Employment through Entrepreneurial Development (BREED), the Bangsamoro Integrated Livelihood Program (BILP), and the Bangsamoro Internship Program (BIDP). Support for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and protection of the informal economy were also part of the region’s labor agenda.
He called for unity among the Bangsamoro Government, workers, business sector, and civil society to achieve inclusive growth rooted in fairness and compassion.
“We see your sacrifice. We value your voice,” Macacua said. “Let us move forward as one, driven by the same hope—a life of dignity for every worker and a future that honors their labor.”
Labor Day, a national holiday in the Philippines, commemorates the struggles and achievements of the labor sector since its first observance on May 1, 1903. It was officially recognized through legislation in 1908 and remains a day to honor the contributions and rights of Filipino workers under Proclamation No. 727 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.