MARIT STINUS-CABUGON
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte in his official Labor Day message stated that, “The Department of Labor and Employment takes the lead in ensuring that thousands of jobs will be created locally … as we tap the skills, experience and expertise of our own people” (Presidential Communications Operations Office website). Against a backdrop of lower rate of joblessness during the first quarter of the year—from 25.1 percent in December 2016 to 22.9 percent, or 10.4 million adults at present (Social Weather Stations)—and the sustained growth rate of the economy, there is reason to be optimistic.