Marcos approves temporary 4-day work week for government agencies
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said that some government offices will follow a temporary four-day work week schedule starting Monday, March 9.
"Dahil sa kaguluhang ito, naapektuhan ang pagdaan ng mga barkong nagdadala ng langis sa Strait of Hormuz, isa sa pinakamahalaganng daanan ng langis sa buong mundo," he said in a video. "Kapag nagkaroon ng problema sa daanang ito, naaapektuhan ang supply ng langis at tumataas ang presyo nito sa buong mundo."
He said that next week, the price of petroleum is expected to rise, with gasoline prices going up as high as P7.8 per liter, P17.28 for diesel, and kerosene for P32.35.
Marcos enumerated some initiatives to conserve energy resources during the Middle East conflict, including the four-day work week scheme for some government employees.
He noted that emergency and frontline services are not included in this scheme.
"Hindi kabilang dito ang mga nagbibigay ng emergency o pangunahing serbisyo, gaya ng mga pulis, bumbero, at mga tanggapan na nagbibigay ng frontline services sa publiko."
Under Memorandum Circular 114, all agencies must move to a four-day onsite work week. This can be done by using a compressed schedule or by setting specific days for working from home, following CSC and flexible work guidelines.
It added that it "shall remain in effect until lifted or sooner revoked by the President."
All agencies also must create their own internal rules to track attendance and monitor employee performance.
Marcos also ordered government offices to cut electricity and petroleum costs by 10 to 20 percent and to scrap unnecessary trips like study tours and team buildings in favor of online meetings.
"Mga kababayan, hindi natin alam kung kailan matatapos ang kaguluhan sa Gitnang Silangan. Biktima tayo ng isang gyera na hindi natin pinili o ninanais. Hindi natin kontrolado ang digmaan, pero kontrolado natin kung paano natin proprotektahan ang Pilipino," he said, adding that he is confident that the Filipino people will prevail over these difficulties.
The US and Israeli strikes—and Iranian retaliation—sent shockwaves worldwide through sectors from shipping to air travel to oil, amid warnings of rising energy costs and disruption to business in the Gulf region.
Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin on Friday said that they are looking for ways to address different scenarios should the war continue.
“We have to decide what are the interventions that we will do, that the objective is to keep the price of electricity low,” she said, adding that the priority is to ensure there is enough supply of oil and prices remain low for fuel and electricity.
“We’re really studying everything,” she said.
According to Garin, the country currently has a 60-day fuel reserve, providing the government and oil providers a window to secure additional supplies if needed.
