Marcos OKs temporary 4-day workweek for gov’t offices

Some agencies in the executive department of the country will implement a temporary four-day workweek starting March 9, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Friday, March 6.

The adjustment is part of the government’s effort to reduce fuel consumption amid the ongoing dispute in the Middle East, which has caused fuel prices to rise.

“Para naman sa bahagi ng pamahalaan: Simula sa Lunes, ika-9 ng Marso, pansamantala nating ipapatupad ang four-day work week sa ilang tanggapan ng ehekutibo,” the President said in a video message.

Signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, the Memorandum Circular 114 stated that agencies shall adopt a four-day onsite workweek, either through a compressed schedule or a designated work-from-home day, to reduce building energy use and transport fuel consumption.

The order will apply to all national government agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations, local government units, constitutional bodies, state universities and colleges, and other government instrumentalities.

Agencies that provide emergency or essential services, such as the police, firefighters, and offices delivering frontline public services, are not included in the arrangement.

“Non-essential government travel and activities, such as study tours, team-building activities, or meetings that can be done online, are also temporarily prohibited,” Marcos said.

Marcos also directed all government agencies to cut electricity consumption and petroleum costs by 10 to 20 percent.

The four-day workweek will remain in effect until lifted by the President.