BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental provincial government will implement the compressed four-day work week starting March 16 in accordance with the energy conservation protocols issued by the Office of the President (OP).

"The province recognizes the need to adopt appropriate operational measures that align with national energy conservation protocols while maintaining the efficient delivery of public services," Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said in an executive order issued Saturday.

He cited OP Memorandum Circular 114 dated March 6 directing all government agencies and instrumentalities, including local government units, to adopt and implement energy conservation measures in their offices to cushion the impact of rising global oil prices brought by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Starting March 16, all Capitol offices and departments will have office hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday to Friday, "until revoked or modified by the President of the Philippines."

The compressed work schedule ensures that the required 40 working hours per week are fully complied with, Lacson's directive said.

However, "offices providing essential and frontline services shall remain fully operational at all times to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of public services." These include provincial government-run hospitals, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD).

The EEDD manages the Negros Residences, Food Terminal Market, Negros Cyber Center, and Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Based on the governor's directive, such offices may adopt the 10-hour work day schedule "provided that appropriate shifting or duty arrangements shall be implemented to ensure that offices remain open and services remain available to the public."

Moreover, in support of the national government's energy conservation initiatives, Lacson ordered all capitol offices to adopt appropriate measures consistent with Memorandum Circular 114.

Among these are ensuring the efficient and judicious use of electricity and other energy resources in government facilities; maximizing the use of digital platforms and virtual meetings where practicable to reduce operational energy consumption, and limiting official travel to essential and indispensable functions and avoiding travel when objectives may be accomplished through alternative modalities.

Meanwhile, Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya said over the weekend he will meet and consult department and office heads on the possibility of implementing a four-day work week.

He reiterated his directive to the city government offices to roll out comprehensive energy and fuel efficiency measures amid the rising fuel prices driven by unrest in the Middle East.

Gasataya said administrative officers are mandated to limit air-conditioning usage to six hours daily, with a maximum extension to eight hours at the agency head’s discretion. Units should be switched to fan mode from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

He advised offices to purchase energy-consuming products certified under the Philippine Energy Labeling Program.

Gasataya also ordered proper trip scheduling of government vehicles to eliminate unnecessary short trips and prohibited engine idling while parked as well as vehicle overloading. (PNA)