Government workers in the National Capital Region (NCR) may look forward to adjusted working hours after President Marcos said on Monday, Jan. 20, that he is amenable to the recommendation by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
Motorists traveling along EDSA Kamuning in Quezon City face moderate to heavy traffic on Jan. 6, 2025, the first workday after the holiday break. (Santi San Juan/MANILA BULLETIN)
The MMDA said last week that it would recommend to the Chief Executive the adjusted working hours—from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.—for government agencies in the National Capital Region (NCR) to ease traffic ahead of the scheduled rehabilitation of EDSA this year.
“Yes, I saw that. Well, we’re studying it. If it works, we’ll do it,” the President said on the sidelines of the Tesla Center launch in Taguig City.
“So, if turns out that everyone agrees to it then I cannot see why it will be a problem,” he added.
However, Marcos explained that he would need to consult not only with traffic enforcers and administrators, but he also aimed to learn what is “practical” for the commuting public.
In a press conference last week, MMDA Chair Romando Artes cited the results of a study that showed that a modified work schedule among local government units (LGUs) in the NCR will help reduce traffic and shorten travel time.
The study, conducted by the MMDA Office of the Assistant General for Planning and the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, proposed the work schedule to be shifted to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. from the current 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The recommendation has to be finished before March when the EDSA rehabilitation is scheduled to start.