May Day aid to extend to vulnerable sectors.

Byline: Johanna D. Poblete and Diane Claire J. Jiao

A LABOR DAY benefits package is still being finalized by Malacanang but will likely include assistance not just for workers but other vulnerable sectors of society, officials yesterday said.

"Hopefully they will be able to finalize them, and they will be presenting that to the president if not today then tomorrow (Friday)," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told Palace reporters, adding that green-lighted proposals will be "included in the speech of the President on Labor Day."

Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad told BusinessWorld in a phone interview that they had proposed relief for low-income sectors hit hard by rising prices.

"It will be a combination of assistance, support and subsidies to be …