ILOILO City – Three local government units (LGUs) in Iloilo Province and the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 begin implementing a compressed four-day work week starting today, March 9, in response to a national directive aimed at conserving energy and reducing fuel consumption amid rising global oil prices triggered by the ongoing Middle East crisis.
The move follows Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 114 issued by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., which orders the temporary implementation of a four-day workweek in selected government offices as part of broader government efforts to reduce the energy footprint of public operations.
MC 114 covers national government agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations, local government units, constitutional bodies, state universities and colleges, and other government instrumentalities.
“There is an urgent need to adopt strict energy conservation measures, to further reduce the energy footprint of government operations and optimize the use of public resources,” the memorandum circular read.
Among the first LGUs in Iloilo to comply with the directive is the municipality of Balasan.
Mayor Filemeno Ganzon issued an announcement confirming the adoption of the compressed work schedule in the municipal government.
Under the new arrangement, the LGU will accommodate clients and the transacting public from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays only. All offices will be closed every Friday except those providing essential and frontline services.
Offices such as the Municipal Health Office (MHO), Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), Municipal Economic Enterprise Office (MEEO), and other essential service units will continue their regular or shifting schedules to ensure uninterrupted public service.
The municipality of Dueñas will also implement a flexible work arrangement beginning March 9 after Mayor Robert Martin Pama issued Executive Order No. 84 adopting energy conservation measures in support of Memorandum Circular No. 114.
“The Municipal Government of Duenas, Iloilo recognizes the need to optimize the use of electricity, fuel and other energy resources while maintaining efficient delivery of public service,” part of the executive order read.
Under the compressed schedule, all departments, offices, and units of the municipal government are directed to adopt energy conservation measures consistent with national government policies.
Employees will complete the required 40 working hours per week within four days, with office hours set from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays.
However, key frontline offices such as the MDRRMO, MENRO, MSWDO, and Rural Health Unit (RHU) will remain outside the coverage of the compressed workweek to ensure that adequate personnel remain available to serve the public throughout the week.
The municipality of New Lucena is likewise adopting a similar flexible work arrangement after Mayor Carl Vincent Mondejar issued Executive Order No. 26 supporting the national government’s energy conservation initiative.
“The Municipal Government of New Lucena, Iloilo recognizes the need to optimize the use of electricity, fuel, and other energy resources while maintaining efficient delivery of public services,” part of Mondejar’s order stated.
The order directs all departments, offices, and units of the municipal government to adopt energy conservation measures consistent with national policies, particularly the compressed four-day workweek arrangement.
“The departments and offices of the Municipal Government of New Lucena, Iloilo shall adopt a compressed four-day work week, subject to operational requirements and public service needs,” the order further stated.
Under the arrangement, employees must complete the required 40 working hours per week within four days, with office hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays.
Similar to other LGUs, essential service units such as the MDRRMO, MENRO, and RHU will continue regular operations to ensure uninterrupted services.
Aside from local governments, the Department of Tourism – Region 6 will also adopt the compressed four-day workweek starting March 9.
“Please be informed that starting Monday, March 9, 2026 the Department of Tourism Region VI will adopt a Compressed (Four-Day) Workweek Arrangement pursuant to the DOT Department Order No. 2026-0013 or the Adoption of Compressed (Four-Day) Workweek Arrangement,” part of the DOT-6 public advisory read.
The DOT regional office said it will serve clients and the transacting public from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays, and will be closed every Friday./PN
