BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Government will implement a compressed four-day workweek beginning March 16 following the issuance of a new executive order aimed at conserving energy and reducing operational costs amid rising fuel prices.
In Executive Order No. 15, Series of 2026, signed by Greg Gasataya on March 10, all city government offices and departments are directed to adopt a Monday-to-Thursday work schedule from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., equivalent to the required 40-hour workweek for government employees.
The order was issued in line with Memorandum Circular No. 114 from the Office of the President of the Philippines dated March 6, 2026, which calls for stricter energy conservation measures across government agencies and encourages local government units to adopt similar initiatives.
The executive order also supports the objectives of Republic Act No. 11285, which promotes efficient and responsible energy use to ensure a stable energy supply while mitigating the effects of high fuel prices on local markets.
According to the order, global economic pressures and ongoing geopolitical conflicts have contributed to volatility in international oil prices, increasing the cost of fuel and utilities and placing additional strain on government expenditures.
“The city government is committed to exercising fiscal prudence by minimizing operational costs and reducing its overall energy footprint,” the order stated, adding that essential services for Bacolod residents will remain uninterrupted despite the shift in work schedules.
Under the directive, key frontline offices—including the City Health Office (CHO), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), City Engineer’s Office (CEO), Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), General Services Office (GSO), and the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO)—will remain fully operational.
These offices may adopt the 10-hour daily schedule but will implement shifting arrangements or skeleton workforces to ensure services remain accessible to the public throughout the week.
Department and office heads were also directed to establish monitoring systems, including the submission of daily or weekly accomplishment reports, to ensure productivity and accountability under the flexible work arrangement.
The order likewise reiterates the city’s earlier directive under Executive Order No. 11, Series of 2026, issued on Feb. 13, which promotes the use of energy-efficient technologies and fuel-saving practices across all city government operations.
The executive order aims to balance energy conservation, fiscal discipline, and uninterrupted public service delivery as the country navigates the economic impact of fluctuating global energy prices./PN
