Government adopts 4-day workweek

With world oil prices rising, the government has stepped up its energy conservation effort and is implementing a four-day workweek for government agencies this summer.

The Cabinet approved the program Tuesday, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said yesterday.

At a press conference, Lotilla said the shortened workweek will be carried out starting April until end-May, when electricity consumption tends to rise, mainly due to increased use of air conditioners, electric fans and other cooling appliances and devices.

He added that the Department of Budget and Management will be issuing the implementing rules and regulations for the new program next week.

"The current high prices of oil in the world market make it imperative that we conserve energy and the government has to lead the way in this effort," he said.

The program is not in any way related to a possible oil supply shortage, Lotilla clarified. "We have enough supply of oil."

The Philippines imports almost all of the 330,000 barrels of oil it consumes each day. Oil prices hit a record peak of $57.60 per barrel last week but have since eased towards $55.

Lotilla said the government would ensure that delivery of basic services is not affected by the energy conservation scheme.

"To ensure that the level of quality of government service will not be compromised, government employees will still be able to render service to the public a minimum of 40 hours a week," he said.

He said the four-day workweek would also enable employees to save on personal expenses. "This will also give more quality time to their families and encourage them to use the three-day break for other social and economic activities," Lotilla added.

The shortened work hours, he said, would also translate to savings of at least 10 percent in electricity and fuel consumption by the government.

The Department of Energy alone, which has 600 employees, would save P166,400 on its electricity bills for the two-month duration of the program, he said.

As for fuel consumption, the DOE would save P81,000. The government agency spends P2.7 million on fuel expenses per year.

Lotilla said government agencies that render "vital frontline services" such as the police, hospitals, government-run banks and the Bureau of Customs might be exempted from the program.

While details for implementing the program are not yet final, he said it is likely that the shortened workweek for government agencies would be from Monday to Thursday with work hours lengthened from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"The longer work hours… would allow the government agencies to still service the needs of their clients," he said.

Through this initiative, Lotilla called on Filipinos to help the government in its effort to make the energy conservation program work.

"For each of us, it will require a change of our lifestyle, in the way we do things and the government has set the example," he said.

Lotilla also urged the private sector to follow the lead of the government. "I am urging everyone to join hands with the government in this effort. Let’s make energy conservation a way of life," he said.

Way before the energy conservation program was approved, the Department of Labor adopted a so-called "compressed workweek" that provides its personnel the option to have longer weekends.

Under the scheme, DOLE employees may have an additional one day in a week on the condition that will work 10 additional hours during the shortened workweek.

In August last year, President Arroyo launched an energy conservation program that included limited use of air conditioners and government vehicles.

Businessmen posed no objection to the shortened government workweek.

"I think it’s just a matter of scheduling. So if they could make sure that there is no disruption of government services, it’s fine with us," said Donald Dee, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The energy conservation scheme is expected to help the government bridge the budget deficit, which analysts warn might deteriorate into a fiscal crisis and derail the Arroyo administration’s anti-poverty agenda.

Rampant tax evasion, corruption, bloated state subsidies and protectionism have been blamed for the government’s fiscal woes. — With Mayen Jaymalin