BACOLOD City — The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental will implement a compressed four-day workweek starting March 16, as part of its efforts to support national energy conservation initiatives amid rising global fuel prices.
The policy was formalized through Executive Order No. 26-05, series of 2026, signed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, adopting energy conservation protocols mandated under Memorandum Circular No. 114 issued by Malacañang last week.
Under the executive order, all offices and departments of the provincial government will observe a four-day workweek from Tuesday to Friday, with office hours set from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., allowing employees to complete the required 40-hour workweek.
The directive aligns with the national government’s energy conservation campaign under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., following the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 114 in response to volatility in global energy markets linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
According to the provincial government, the measure is also consistent with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, or Republic Act No. 11285, which promotes the efficient use of energy resources and reduced energy consumption across government operations.
Despite the compressed schedule, essential government services will remain uninterrupted. Provincial hospitals, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), and the Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) will continue operating to ensure the delivery of frontline services.
These offices may adopt the 10-hour workday schedule but must implement appropriate shifting or duty arrangements to maintain continuous public service.
The order also aligns with Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 01, series of 2025, which encourages government agencies to adopt flexible work arrangements and low-cost energy efficiency measures.
Meanwhile, Senate President Francis Escudero has urged private companies to consider adopting a similar four-day onsite workweek or staggered work-hour schemes to help mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices and economic disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Escudero said flexible work arrangements could reduce transportation demand, lower operating costs, and ease traffic congestion while providing relief to workers amid volatile global oil markets.
“Acting this early as we anticipate what could possibly happen would strengthen the country’s resilience should the situation worsen,” the senator said in a statement.
The senator noted that Congress has long implemented a four-day workweek for its personnel and suggested that expanding similar arrangements to other sectors could help reduce fuel consumption and improve mobility in major urban centers.
He also encouraged companies in major business districts such as Makati and Bonifacio Global City to explore flexible work setups to help reduce peak-hour congestion.
According to a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), traffic congestion in Metro Manila costs the economy an estimated P3.5 billion per day, a figure projected to increase to P5.4 billion daily by 2035 if left unaddressed.
Escudero also urged local government units and the private sector to collaborate on mobility strategies such as staggered work schedules, improved pedestrian access, and safer cycling routes. He likewise encouraged the public to contribute to energy conservation by carpooling, biking short distances, and adopting energy-efficient practices at home./PN
