Church peoples and workers from various sectors marked the second anniversary of the Church People – Workers’ Solidarity (CWS) with a renewed commitment to continue fighting for workers’ rights and a just and humane society last September 23, 2026.
Celebrating CWS’ milestone through a general assembly, 170 workers and religious men and women gathered at the Fortich Hall of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Barangay Bata to strengthen the solidarity they have built through various discussions on the current situation of labor in the Philippines.
“Ang karapatan po natin [sa pagoorganisa] ay under attack, at ang nangunguna sa atakeng ito no other than the government mismo,” Kilusang Mayo Uno National Chairperson Jerome Adonis said, describing the intensifying crackdown on workers’ right to organize amid worsening economic and political crisis in the country in his keynote address to the assembly.
Adonis’ discussion on the situation of workers drew reactions from the religious men and women prompting manifestations after his presentation.
“Being a church person, importante nga makita naton kung paano kita magsabat sa mga panginahanglanon ukon mga kahimtangan sang aton mga pumuluyo ilabi na gid sa aton nga mga mamumugon,” Father Filomeno Duaban said in his reaction to the discussion.
He added that labor is an intrinsic part of personal and social development, and that church people have a special role in protecting “God’s ongoing creation” expressed in the people’s labor.
“[Kita] sa simbahan, ginapakita naton that justice requires looking at the world with the eyes of the humble, the hungry, the poor, and the victims of continuing injustice, our workers,” Father Duaban said.
The assembly’s program also featured a symbolic laying of workers and farmers’ tools on the altar, a report on the achievements and victories of CWS in its second year, and solidarity messages from its allied organizations.
“Let us become voices of transformation. Voices that speak the truth, defend the oppress, and build bridges of solidarity, solidarity between workers, church people, communities, and all people of goodwill,” Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos and chairperson of the One Negros Ecumenical Council said, reminding all the workers and church people under CWS to continue in fostering unity in defense of human dignity and rights.
CWS’ second year was capped by the election of its new set of officers: IFI Diocese of Bago Bishop Virgilio Amihan was elected as chairperson along with Father Filomeno Duaban as his co-chair, and Father Benjamin Duran from IFI as secretary general.
