Provinvcial government adopts four-day workweek

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government will shift to a four-day workweek starting Monday, September 28, as part of measures to cut energy and fuel consumption amid concerns over the province’s power supply.

Under a memorandum signed by Governor Pamela Baricuatro on September 23, provincial government offices are encouraged to adopt a Monday-to-Thursday work schedule from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the measure is a proactive response to the prevailing energy situation and is also intended to reduce the government’s gasoline consumption and electricity use.

“Mo-balik tag 4-day work week. Ang rason sad ana kay makatipid gyud ang provincial Capitol of almost a month pod og gasoline and power,” Empaces said.

He said the Capitol’s decision was based partly on data gathered during its previous implementation of a four-day workweek, which showed a reduction in gasoline use.

“Based sa data tong first namong implement, naka-makaubos gyud ta og usage sa gasoline,” Empaces said.

The reduction, he explained, was primarily due to fewer government activities and movements on Fridays, when regular office operations are suspended under the four-day arrangement.

Empaces said the measure is not solely intended to address an immediate increase in fuel or electricity costs but is part of the provincial government’s effort to anticipate possible impacts of the energy situation on its operations.

“This is just a proactive call ni governor na to make sure pud na dritso og, og at sa operations sa government,” he said.

He added that the four-day arrangement could also benefit employees by reducing the number of days they need to travel to and from work, particularly those who use vehicles and spend on fuel.

“Dili sad pud para sa mga empleyado kay ka lima ka mobiyahe? Ka lima gyud ka mamilite,” Empaces said, referring to the additional commuting day that employees would otherwise have under a five-day workweek.

Under the memorandum, however, several offices are required to maintain their usual operating schedules because of the nature of their services.

These are the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Cebu Provincial Health Office (CPHO), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), and Cebu Normal School-Basic Education Department (CNSBT).

The offices of the Provincial Governor’s Office (PGO), Provincial General Services Office (PGSO) and Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO), meanwhile, are encouraged to assign personnel who will continue to report under regular office hours from Monday to Friday.

Empaces said the arrangement will initially be observed for two weeks and will be reviewed depending on developments in the energy situation and recommendations from the regional energy coordinating mechanism.

“Dili naman mi mag-meeting physically, but naa nay communication from uplift. And then we consider the data provided as basis sa pag-come up with kanang decision of 4 days week,” he said.

The memorandum states that the four-day workweek will remain in effect “until further notice,” allowing the provincial government to adjust the arrangement depending on the prevailing situation.

Empaces said the October review could determine whether the arrangement will be lifted, depending on the circumstances at the time.

“We don't want na mo-taas pa. Naa man tay summit karong October 7, tong Energy Summit. So, we hope to get more insights and feedback from all the stakeholders energy plus gasoline and gas,” he said.

The four-day workweek is one of several measures undertaken by the Capitol in response to Cebu’s power supply shortage.

Under Executive Order No. 47, the Capitol has also implemented a one-hour power shutdown every Monday for non-essential equipment and facilities in provincial government offices.

Executive Order No. 16, meanwhile, provides the basis for the four-day work scheme as a measure to reduce daily power consumption.

Beyond reducing consumption, the Capitol has also been engaging national energy stakeholders and other concerned sectors.

On September 4, the provincial government met with national energy stakeholders to discuss the power shortage and push for faster solutions.

While the provincial government has no direct regulatory authority over power generation and transmission, it has continued to coordinate with government and industry stakeholders.

It is also set to convene a stakeholders’ summit on October 7 to discuss longer-term solutions for Central Visayas’ power requirements.

The Capitol is likewise facilitating renewable energy projects, including the Acciona solar farm in Daanbantayan and the Alternergy wind energy project in Alegria, which are being pursued as part of efforts to increase Cebu’s power generation capacity and address its long-term energy needs. (CEBU NEWS)