ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said implementing a four-day workweek at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol would be difficult due to the heavy workload of several government offices, even as some local government units in the province have begun adopting the compressed schedule as an energy‑saving measure.
Defensor made the remark when asked by members of the media if the provincial government would follow other offices that have shifted to a four‑day workweek in response to the national government’s call for energy conservation amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
According to the governor, several offices at the capitol already struggle to complete their tasks within the regular five‑day schedule because of the large volume of work and public services they handle.
“May iban kita nga opisina nga ang load daku, kulang gid na sia and we are having difficulty adjusting sa work hours. Bal-an an mo in a certain day, malab-ot ang punto nga indi ka na ya effective even if we extend. You cannot really work nga gusto mo. So, that is why, even if we are considering it, it’s very difficult for the province to have a four-day work week,” Defensor said.
The governor cited his own experience as a local chief executive, saying the demands of the job often extend beyond the regular workweek.
He said that even the standard five-day workweek is sometimes not enough for him to finish official duties, prompting him to continue working on Saturdays.
Despite the difficulty of shifting to a four-day workweek, Defensor assured that the Iloilo provincial government will cooperate with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to adopt energy‑saving measures.
The governor said the Provincial Community Defense Action Cluster held a meeting on March 6 to discuss possible steps to reduce electricity consumption at the Capitol.
Among the measures being considered is regulating the use of electrical appliances in government offices to cut down on energy use.
Defensor added that the provincial government is awaiting recommendations from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) on what specific energy‑saving strategies should be implemented.
“Hulaton ta pa ang PDRRMO. Usually nagabuhin kita sang use sang appliances and its already in the memorandum circular of the President, it is in 114 back to basic or just follow it as much as we can and we add our own kon may ara pa,” he said.
He also noted that the capitol has already begun conserving energy through the use of renewable sources, particularly solar power.
According to Defensor, the provincial government intends to expand the use of renewable energy not only at the Capitol but also in other provincial government buildings and infrastructure across Iloilo as part of a long‑term sustainability plan.
“Sa subong isa kita sa pinaka-aggressive sa bilog nga Pilipinas adopting solar energy or renewable energy but it’s long-term. Ang short term pamuhin mo, ti mamuhin kita asta sa masarangan naton,” he added.
Beginning March 9, several local government units in Iloilo province have already implemented a four‑day workweek.
These include the municipalities of New Lucena, Balasan, Dueñas, Oton, and Bingawan, where government offices will operate from Monday to Thursday and remain closed on Fridays.
However, essential offices such as the Rural Health Unit, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office will continue operating from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to ensure uninterrupted public services.
The Department of Tourism Regional Office 6 has also adopted the four‑day workweek starting March 9./PN
