ILOILO City – The city government is studying a possible shift to a four-day workweek at City Hall as part of preparations to conserve electricity and fuel amid fears of a global energy supply crunch triggered by the escalating Middle East conflict.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said the city is evaluating whether the compressed work schedule can be implemented without disrupting frontline services, as the national government weighs similar measures to curb energy consumption.
“Ginapatun-an naton kun doable ini. If ever ma-implement, madugang sang duha ka oras kada adlaw ang work schedule para indi maapektuhan ang serbisyo kag mga transaksyon sang publiko,” Treñas said.
Under the proposed setup, employees would work longer hours each day — extending the regular eight-hour shift by two hours — to ensure that public transactions and essential services remain uninterrupted even if the workweek is shortened.
Treñas emphasized that the city government will align its policy with whatever directive the national government ultimately adopts.
“Whatever ang guidelines sang Presidente, sundon sang City Hall,” she said.
The proposal comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to conserve electricity and fuel as tensions in the Middle East threaten to push global oil prices higher.
Malacañang earlier said the President is considering the adoption of a four-day workweek for government offices if the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies and energy supply pressures continue, prompting local governments such as Iloilo City to begin assessing contingency measures for possible implementation./PN
