The President said the assembly of the tripartite wage boards was more important than the "usual speeches" that mark the annual Labor Day celebration.

"I have given instructions to Secretary of Labor (Marianito) Roque, on May 1 itself, I want all the wage boards to meet. I think that is a better celebration of May 1 than the usual speeches," she said in Dumaguete City.

Pending the deliberations of the wage boards on salary hikes, the President also renewed her call to private companies to provide their workers non-wage benefits.

Mrs. Arroyo said she already talked to some big companies that have expressed willingness give benefits to their workers such as daycare centers for working mothers.

She noted that special economic zones such as in Clark, Pampanga are also willing to pilot test the establishment of daycare centers for their employees’ children.

Other non-wage benefits encouraged by the President are rice subsidies, grocery items, and shuttle services.

Last Wednesday, the President reminded regional tripartite wage boards to work overtime in reviewing the proposed salary increases for workers amid the rising commodity prices.

Mrs. Arroyo earlier endorsed salary increases and non-wage benefits for workers to offset the ill-effects of high priced food and oil.