State-run Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said it will maintain five-day operations at its frontline service counters even as the state pension fund shifts to a four-day on-site workweek to bolster national energy conservation efforts.

Beginning March 9, GSIS employees will transition to a temporary special work arrangement where personnel report to offices from Monday to Thursday, with Fridays designated as a mandatory work-from-home day.

The adjustment follows a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. aimed at mitigating the impact of rising global fuel and electricity costs.

GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said in a statement that the agency has established specific shifts for frontline staff to ensure the Lobby and Pensioners Lounge remain open to the public for the full workweek.

The measure remains in effect until further notice as the government seeks to curb power consumption across state-owned and controlled corporations.

The shift toward hybrid work comes amid heightened volatility in global energy markets, largely driven by ongoing conflict in the Middle East. By reducing the physical footprint of its workforce on Fridays, the GSIS expects a significant drop in its operational overhead.

Veloso noted that the agency’s existing investment in renewable energy will further insulate it from high utility costs during the transition.

“With this setup, our energy consumption on Fridays will be practically free because of our existing solar panels,” Veloso said, adding that the move balances the need for environmental sustainability with the agency’s mandate to serve its members.

While the majority of the administrative workforce moves to remote operations once a week, the pension fund emphasized that all offices remain responsible for continuous service delivery.

The GSIS currently manages the social security benefits of government employees, including life insurance, retirement, and disability programs.