Lawmaker pushes bill promoting ‘telecommuting’

MANILA, Philippines -  Telecommuting should now be a buzzword among the country’s workforce, a lawmaker said yesterday. 

In today’s digital age, both the government and private sectors should allow and encourage their workers to work from the comfort of their homes to help lessen traffic jams, especially if their task is dependent largely on communication technology, according to Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte.

“Institutionalizing new and alternative modes of working made possible through the use of modern technology is very timely in light of the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila and the increasingly unpredictable weather,” he said. 

Under his House Bill 5630 – where its Senate counterpart bill has already been approved on third and final reading – “telecommuting should now be an available option for workers, given the detrimental effects on health of spending long hours in traffic jams.”  

He cited a 2012 CNN report wherein a study by Washington University in St. Louis showed that “long commutes are associated with higher weight, lower fitness levels, and higher blood pressure – all strong predictors of heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.” 

“The study notes that being exposed to the daily hassles of traffic can lead to higher chronic stress that makes people vulnerable to other diseases and depression,” Villafuerte emphasized.  

HB 5630 was reported for first reading before the House plenary and referred to the committee on labor and employment. A counterpart bill filed by Senators Cynthia Villar and Joel Villanueva was approved by the Senate on third and final reading last May 22. 

The first-term congressman also noted the negative effect traffic jams have on the local economy, as the Japan International Coordination Agency reported that traffic costs in Manila will increase to P6 billion a day by 2030 from P2.4 billion per day in 2015.  

The former three-term governor said it is time to institutionalize the work-from-home or telecommuting policy that would help solve the ever-worsening traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other urban centers all over the country. 

Villafuerte said telecommuting would enhance productivity among employees and improve public health. 

He also proposed other technology-related measures that aim to protect the rights and welfare of mobile phone users, institutionalize the use of digital technology in public schools, establish an e-government system and provide incentives to entrepreneurs.