• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Some local government units in Negros Occidental have adopted the four-day workweek scheme, starting March 9, as part of energy conservation measures amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The compressed four-day workweek has been ordered by local chief executives of Murcia and Ilog, as well as Silay City, for Mondays to Thursdays, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This will also ensure the compliance of 40 working hours in a week, Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, said in an executive order.
Gallego also ordered a strict implementation of energy conservation protocols.
Murcia Mayor Gerardo Rojas and Ilog Mayor Paul Alvarez also issued similar executive orders, implementing a four-day workweek in their respective municipal offices.
The four-day compressed workweek at the Negros Occidental provincial government will start on March 16, as ordered by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Capitol employees will report to work 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday.
The extension of daily operating hours aims to ensure uninterrupted service delivery to Negrenses. However, critical front line services, such as health, disaster risk reduction management offices, law enforcement agencies will remain fully operational on all days.
In his executive order, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said “the province recognizes the need to adopt appropriate operational measures that align with national energy conservation protocols while maintaining the efficient delivery of public services.”
Moreover, in support of the national government’s energy conservation initiatives, Lacson ordered all capitol offices to adopt appropriate measures consistent with Memorandum Circular 114.
Among these are ensuring the efficient and judicious use of electricity and other energy resources in government facilities; maximizing the use of digital platforms and virtual meetings where practicable to reduce operational energy consumption; and limiting official travel to essential and indispensable functions and avoiding travel when objectives may be accomplished through alternative modalities.
E.B. Magalona Mayor Matthew Malacon said he will discuss the matter with the municipal department heads and members of the Sangguniang Bayan, while Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya said he will meet and consult with the department and office heads on the possibility of implementing a four-day work week.*
