The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is encouraging Metro Manila government agencies to implement Policies on Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs) in support of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s current initiative to improve traffic conditions in the metropolis.

CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles said the government’s Policies on FWA, promulgated through CSC Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 6, s. 2022, were established to institutionalize adaptable and responsive work schemes for civil servants in order to promote efficient and effective performance of governmental functions in the face of disruptive situations, such as the worsening traffic in Metro Manila.

“The National Capital Region has the largest number of government workers in the country, with 440,009 or 22.30 percent of career and non-career personnel. The prevailing traffic conditions in the metro not only hinder their mobility but also impact their productivity, particularly for those who commute daily. By adopting the FWA, we can not only enhance their efficiency but also safeguard their health, safety, and welfare,” he said in a statement on Feb. 23.

Nograles emphasized that the FWA’s approval is at the discretion of the agency’s head, as long as stakeholders and clients are guaranteed continuous service delivery from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Atin pong siguruhin na hindi matitigil ang pagbibigay ng maayos, mabilis, at maaasahang serbisyo publiko buong linggo kahit na tayo ay may FWA, kasama ang pagpapatupad ng No Noon Break policy (Let’s make sure that we don’t stop providing good, fast, and reliable public services throughout the week even though we have FWA, including the implementation of the No Noon Break policy),” he said.

Working arrangements

Under MC No. 6, government agencies can choose any of the six FWAs to provide support mechanisms for government officials and employees.

Flexiplace is an output-oriented work arrangement that allows government officials or employees to provide services at a location other than their office temporarily, as approved by the head of the office/agency.

This arrangement includes work-from-home, work-from-a satellite office, and work-from-another fixed location setup.

Meanwhile, a compressed workweek is a work arrangement in which a government official or employee’s 40-hour workweek for five days is reduced to four days or fewer, as applicable, whereas a skeleton workforce is a work arrangement in which a minimum number of government officials or employees are required to staff the office to render service when full staffing is not feasible.

CSC said work shifting is a work arrangement that applies to offices/agencies that are required by law to provide 24-hour continuous service delivery on a daily basis, or to agencies that are required to follow workplace health and safety protocols.

Flexitime, meanwhile, is a work arrangement in which the agency allows its government officials and employees to work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, provided the 40-hour workweek is met.

CSC said agencies may adopt a combination of the above-mentioned FWAs appropriate or applicable to the mandate or functions of the agency.

Nograles reminded offices that they must develop guidelines for the implementation of the FWA, which include the tasks that can be completed outside of the office, health and communication protocols, performance standards and monitoring mechanisms, and the provision of support mechanisms.