PTGWO one of the biggest and longest labor federation in the Philippines. At 58, the federation will continue aspiring Filipino workers to assert their rights and promote its interest through clear enjoyment of freedom of association to bring social justice towards decent work — Vibrant, Caring, and Independent…

Workers, since the evolution of industrialization and commercialization in the world, more than a century ago up to the present, remains in the disadvantageous status, vis-a-vis with the capitalist with its management.

Born and grow in the midst of labor and peasant unrest, the awkward plight of workers seriously touched the heart of Roberto Oca, Sr.—the founder of the Philippine Transport Workers Organization, sometime in 1950’s.

Brother Oca, Sr., organized the transport workers in Manila. Firstly: the ship crews, then the land base transport workers (among others are: Pantranco, BLTBCO, JD Transit, Halili Bus Lines), and later on, include the stevedores and commercial establishment’s attendants. As years go by, several workers organization in other industries joined PTWO. This compelled PTWO to adjust for purposes of registration under the mandate of R.A. 875, enacting Industrial Peace Act of 1953, popularly known as the Magna Carta of Labor. PTWO change its name to PTGWO to accommodate under its banner the other workers organization in other industries such as in textile, garments, services and food and materials productions.

When Brother Oca, Sr. dies in 1981, Brother Andres L. Dinglasan, Jr. succeeds. During Brother Dinglasan, Jr’s. presidency, he campaigned for responsible unionism by advocating that labor and capital are partner in productivity or service. He brought the cause of labor direct to the government officials and even up to the Congress.

Brother Dinglasan, Jr. died in 1997, Brother Victorino F. Balais succeeded. Bro. Vic, having been rose from the rank, a former worker of Central Textile Mills in Balintawak, Quezon City, as envisioned by Bro. Oca, Sr., aggressively organized workers in Metro Manila and adjacent regions, wherein PTGWO once in its history, registered morethan one hundred (100) CBA’s, with almost 80-thousand members. We cannot forget the 12,000 workers of Novelty Philippines. The 10,000 workers of Greenfield Garment. The Several Thousand workers of Central Textile, ITM, Yarn Venture, Clover Textile, Blusa Garment, Quality Garment, Excellentex, Meritlux, Viva Footwear and many others, now closed due to alleged many unfriendly business undertaking in the Philippines.

In the early 21st century, wherein the world and mankind felt and understand that it is in critical situation, morally, spiritually, economically, politically and environmentally, which due to respective self-indulgence, compelled division among group of people, domestically and internationally—PTGWO attempted to advocate a vision of “Solidarity in Trade Unions in Wider Horizon and Greater Depth” to guide workers for survival in the midst of crises, proven by this 19th Convention of the PTGWO, showing that union is still around us.

Thanks God, union still here in the Philippines. Thus, PTGWO, with this new lap in its mission, lay down its goal with a theme—“Team PTGWO…. Vibrant, Caring and Independent in 2017”.

VIBRANT—in attempt to continue to lead the workers as partner of capitalist in service and productivity in exchange of fair wage and benefits, despite worsening crises plaguing the world and humanity.

CARING—understanding that the world and mankind is in worsening crises, that it should not only focus its capability and resources in protecting the right and interest of workers, but must also include their and their love ones well being as a person.

INDEPENDENT—from all influence of evils, greed and unfair undertakings;

This newfound nerve of the PTGWO to keep going, with its lay down theme is DEDICATED to all Filipino workers, PTGWO can manage to touch for unity to protect their right, interest and well-being as a person.