The Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur (PGIS) spearheaded the Labor Day celebration as tribute to Don Isabelo de los Reyes, son of Leona Florentino and Father of Labor Movement in the Philippines, at the Govantes Dike, Bantay, Ilocos Sur on May 1. UNP is one of the institutions which took part in the celebration.

UNP executive officials and administrators, headed by Dr. Erwin F. Cadorna, attended the flower offering at the monument of de los Reyes.

The annual event recognizes his contributions to the country. Don Belong is an intellectual, polymath, and politician known for his works on Ilokano culture and for founding the Unión Obrera Democrática Filipina (Philippine Democratic Labor Union), the first-ever modern trade union federation in the country.

After the tribute, Dr.  Cadorna, together with Dr. Rolando B. Navarro (VP for Academic Affairs), also attended the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the PGIS at the Provincial Farmers and Livelihood Convention Center. The ceremony is part of the 122^nd Labor Day celebration with the theme “Sa Bagong Pilipinas: Manggagawang Pilipino, Kabalikat at Kasama sa Pag-asenso.” The Provincial Government also spearheaded a job fair.

Governor Jerry Singson acknowledged partner agencies and expressed his gratitude to DOLE and UNP for being partners in this event.

The MOA signing is continuation of the previous agreement between PGIS, DOLE, and UNP on April 11, 2024.

Dr. Erwin F. Cadorna (UNP President), Hon. Jerry Singson (Governor), Ms. Honorina Dian-Baga (Asst. Regional Director), and Ms. Charity A. Ubilas (Supervising Labor and Employment Officer) signed the agreement, pledging that “both parties shall sincerely cooperate among themselves in ensuring prompt, timely, non-charging fee, and efficient delivery of full-cycle employment facilitation services for students.”

Article and photo by Noelle Jnyx Tacas.