Marcos Jr. announces temporary 4-day work week in several gov’t offices

MANILA, March 9 ------ Government agencies under the Executive Department will implement a four-day work week beginning today, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced. This forms part of Marcos Jr.’s order to strictly enforce energy conservation measures to mitigate the effects of soaring oil prices amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East.

However, government offices that provide emergency and frontline services are not included in the four-day work week scheme. “Para naman sa bahagi ng pamahalaan: Simula sa Lunes, ika-9 ng Marso, pansamantala nating ipapatupad ang four-day work week sa ilang tanggapan ng ehekutibo,” Marcos Jr. said in a recorded video released. “Hindi kabilang dito ang mga nagbibigay ng emergency o pangunahing serbisyo, gaya ng mga pulis, bumbero, at mga tanggapan na nagbibigay ng frontline services sa publiko,” he added.

Under the Memorandum Circular 114 which directs government agencies to strictly adopt energy conservation protocols, government agencies shall adopt a four-day onsite work arrangement through a compressed workweek or a designated common day for work-from-home arrangements in accordance with existing rules and guidelines on flexible work arrangements. The four-day onsite work arrangements will remain in effect until lifted or sooner revoked by the president. “This arrangement shall serve as an interim measure, to be continued only until circumstances warrant its modification o r discontinuance,” it added.

All government agencies are directed to “formulate their respective internal guidelines to ensure proper monitoring and documentation, including verification of attendance, and performance standards and monitoring mechanisms, in accordance with existing CSC laws, rules and regulations.”

Prices of petroleum products are expected to further surge next week, with gasoline expected to hike by P7.48 per liter, P17.28 per liter for diesel and P32.35 per liter for kerosene. Marcos Jr. also directs all government agencies to implement energy-saving measures and reduce electricity consumption and fuel costs by 10-20%. Non-essential trips and activities in government offices are also prohibited for the meantime, according to Marcos Jr. “Pansamantala ring ipinagbabawal ang mga biyahe at aktibidad ng pamahalaan na hindi naman kinakailangan, gaya ng mga study tour, team-building activities o mga meeting na maaari namang gawin online,” he said.

Marcos Jr. assured that measures are in place to address the skyrocketing fuel prices. This include his coordination with Congress to pass a proposed measure granting him special powers to reduce fuel excise tax once the 80 dollars per barrel threshold is breached, the amendment to Biofuels Act of 2006, and distribution of fuel subsidy and cash transfer.

The chief executive also vowed that the government is monitoring the prices of goods and commodities to ensure that no one will take advantage of the volatile situation. “Nakikiusap ako sa ating mga negosyante at mga traders: huwag ninyo sanang samantalahin ang sitwasyong ito. Pinapaalala ko sa lahat na ang hoarding at profiteering ay labag sa batas,” he said. Marcos Jr. also assured overseas Filipino workers that the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration will continue to reach out to them to ensure their safety. “Nasimulan na po ang pag likas ng mga Pilipino na nais magpa-repatriate at sa oras ligtas na ang pag biyahe ay ma-ilikas na natin lahat,” he said.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com