With the major rehabilitation of EDSA set to begin in June, Senator Joel Villanueva is calling on both private employers and government agencies to implement alternative work arrangements to ease the burden on commuters, especially employees.

Villanueva, principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11065 or the Work From Home Law, emphasized the need for flexible work setups in anticipation of the long-term infrastructure project, which is expected to last two to three years.

“We have been pushing for the adoption of alternative work setups since January to help our labor force prepare for this long-term rehabilitation effort,” the senator said, noting the extended timeline of the construction.

As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resource Development, Villanueva stressed the importance of proactive solutions to reduce the stress caused by daily traffic congestion on Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare.

“Kawawa naman po ang ating mga empleyado na nauubos ang oras sa traffic dahil lang kailangan nilang pumasok sa opisina araw-araw para gawin ang trabaho na kaya naman nilang gawin sa kanilang kabahayan gamit ang tamang teknolohiya (It is unfortunate that our employees are forced to spend hours in traffic just to report to the office every day, even though their tasks can be performed from home with the proper technology)," he said.

"We need to be more compassionate and innovative in our approach to work,” he added.

Under the Telecommuting Act, private companies may voluntarily offer remote work options to employees as long as labor standards are maintained. These include proper compensation, work hours, leave benefits, rest periods, and clearly written agreements outlining expectations.

For public sector workers, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has already issued Memorandum Circular No. 06, s. 2022, which encourages agencies to adopt flexible work arrangements where possible.

“The world of work is constantly evolving, and we must respond with proactive, responsive solutions that prioritize the well-being of our workforce,” Villanueva said.

“Our workers are the backbone of our economy. Let us ensure they are supported—not strained—by these necessary infrastructure upgrades,” he added.