CAVITE 1st District Representative Ramon Jolo B. Revilla III was officially elected as the new Chairperson of the House Committee on Labor and Employment on Tuesday afternoon (July 29) during the 2nd session day of the 20th Congress.
Revilla was entrusted with the leadership of one of the most critical committees in the House of Representatives. The Committee on Labor and Employment exercises jurisdiction over “all matters directly and principally relating to labor, the advancement and protection of the rights and welfare of workers, employment and manpower development inclusive of the promotion of industrial peace and employer-employee cooperation, labor education, labor standards and statistics, and the organization and development of the labor market including the recruitment, training and placement of manpower, here and abroad.”
In his message, the lawmaker expressed his deep gratitude to the leadership of the House of Representatives and to his fellow legislators for the confidence given to him to lead the committee.
“Lubos po akong nagpapasalamat sa liderato ng Kamara at sa aking mga kapwa mambabatas sa tiwalang ipinagkaloob nila sa akin upang pamunuan ang isang komiteng may mahalagang papel sa kinabukasan ng bawat manggagawang Pilipino,” Revilla said.
“Hindi po ito basta posisyon. Ito ay isang pananagutan na buong puso kong tinatanggap alang-alang sa ating mga manggagawa na araw-araw ay nagsusumikap para sa kanilang pamilya at sa bayan,” the solon added.
As chairperson, Revilla vowed to prioritize legislation that champions workers’ rights and uplifts their quality of life.
“Panahon na upang itaas ang antas ng pamumuhay ng ating mga manggagawa. Ang makatarungan at sapat na sahod ay hindi pribilehiyo. Ito ay karapatan. Bilang kinatawan ng mamamayan, isusulong natin ang batas na magtatakda ng makatao at makatarungang sahod para sa lahat,” Revilla remarked.
He also emphasized the importance of crafting responsive policies to address the growing needs of Filipino workers, especially those in the informal economy and overseas.
“Magiging bukas ang ating komite sa boses ng lahat – manggagawa, employer, at mga kasamang ahensiya ng gobyerno. Dito natin bubuuin ang mga polisiya na hindi lamang maganda sa papel, kundi may konkretong benepisyo sa tunay na buhay ng ating mga manggagawa. Mula sa mga construction worker at delivery rider, hanggang sa mga propesyonal at OFW, maging ang mga MSMEs, sila ang haligi ng ating ekonomiya. At sa ilalim ng ating pamumuno sa komite, sisiguraduhin nating sila ay may kakampi, may tagapagtanggol, at may tunay na kinatawan sa Kongreso,” he said.
Rep. Jolo Revilla’s assumption to the chairmanship is seen as a promising direction for labor reforms that aim to deliver social justice, strengthen job security, and ensure the dignity of every Filipino worker.
