Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Saturday ordered the implementation of a compressed four-day workweek for the provincial government of Negros Occidental starting March 16 to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs.
The ongoing Middle East tensions have led to significant volatility in global energy markets, resulting in the rising cost of fuel that impacts the national economy, Lacson said.
Fuel prices in the Philippines are expected to rise sharply on Tuesday, with the Department of Energy initially estimating increases of P19 per liter for diesel, P9 for gasoline, and P31 for kerosene.
Under Executive Order No. 26-05 issued Saturday, Lacson said provincial offices and departments will operate from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday to Friday, to fulfill the required 40-hour workweek while reducing the government’s overall energy footprint.
The Office of the President issued Memorandum Circular No. 114, dated March 6, directing all government agencies and instrumentalities, including local government units, to adopt and implement energy conservation measures.
FRONTLINE SERVICES
The governor’s order also ensures that essential and frontline services remain fully operational despite the administrative schedule change.
Provincial hospitals, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), and the Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) are mandated to maintain uninterrupted delivery of public services through shifting or duty arrangements, he added.
While these offices may also adopt 10-hour shifts, the Governor emphasized that they must remain open to the public at all times.
CONSERVATION PROTOCOLS
In addition to the revised work schedule, the provincial government is institutionalizing stricter energy conservation protocols within its daily operations.
The directive calls for the judicious use of electricity, the mandatory shutdown of electrical equipment when not in use, and a transition toward digital platforms and virtual meetings to minimize travel and utility consumption, the governor said.
Official travel will now be restricted to indispensable functions, with an emphasis on alternative electronic communication, it said.
These measures will remain in effect until revoked or modified by the President of the Philippines, Lacson said.
There is an urgent need to adopt strict energy conservation measures, to further reduce the energy footprint of government operations and optimize the use of public resources, Lacson stressed.
OTHER LGUs
Ilog, Hinoba-an and Don Salvador Benedicto are starting their four-day compressed workweeks today, March 9.
Mayor Daph Reliquias, in an executive order, said the Hinoba-an government work schedule will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday.
Ilog and Don Salvador Benedicto’s work hour’s will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday.*
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