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Flexible work arrangements, which became popular during the Covid-19 pandemic, continue to be “relevant” for government agencies as energy and fuel conservation efforts are on the upswing, among other factors.

Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Karlo Nograles had this to say during the agency's budget deliberations on Tuesday, Aug. 27, where he informed lawmakers that an updated policy on flexible work arrangements was pending.

Established in 2022, the CSC released Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 6, which sought to institutionalize appropriate work arrangements for government officials and employees to ensure efficient and effective performance of government functions and public service.

According to Nograles, the agency is set to tie up the proposed new guidelines with the Marcos administration’s environmental efforts, particularly on fuel and energy, as well as traffic mitigation.

Earlier this year, President Marcos signed Administrative Order (AO) No. 15, which ordered all attached agencies and instrumentalities of the government to intensify efforts to conserve electricity and fuel to mitigate power demand.

General Santos City lone district Rep. Loreto Acharon, during his interpellation, cast doubt on the CSC’s plan to make the flexible work arrangements a regular staple of government work.

The lawmaker warned that there were inefficiency and margin issues caused by changing the traditional work setup, especially in the level of local government units (LGUs).

Based on the CSC circular, flexible work arrangements include work-from-home, work from satellite office, and work from another fixed place. This also includes compressed workweek, skeleton workforce, work shifting, flexible time, and combination of flexible work arrangements.

Nograles acknowledged that there were ongoing issues, however. He pointed out that government agencies have the authority and the discretion to determine for themselves the appropriate arrangements for their respective offices.

“Wala na nga po tayo sa (We are no longer under the) pandemic, but what the flexible work arrangements have taught us is, number one, it accelerates the use of technology and I think we have enough technology out there that can be used and implemented without sacrificing efficiency and effectiveness and productivity,” the CSC chief said.

“And then of course, ‘yung sensitivities din po natin sa iba’t ibang (we also have sensitivities in different sectors) sectors including those with commorbidities, persons with disabilities, women, and pregnant women, so these are certain sectors where flexible work arrangements can be used so we can be more sensitive to their needs,” he added.

To ensure that agencies remain effective amid flexible work arrangements, Nograles said the CSC guides the Human Resources (HR) offices on how to measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of workers.

“Dahil nga po hindi sila (Because they are not) physically present, mayro’n namang ibang (there is another) way of determining output and outcome,” he explained.