THE provincial government of Cebu has adopted a four-day work week to save energy amid the Middle East conflict. (FB)
Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro on Monday, March 9, signed an executive order (EO) adopting a compressed four-day work week.
Baricuatro issued EO No. 16 in response to the national government’s call for the adoption of energy-saving measures due to the global fuel crisis from the raging conflict in the Middle East.
Under the EO, provincial government employees will work from Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Frontline offices such as hospitals and other critical operations are exempted to ensure uninterrupted service.
Baricuatro encouraged the province’s 53 cities and municipalities to come up with similar arrangements.
The EO stated that flexible work arrangements may include a compressed four-day work week with extended hours, designated work-from-home days, staggered schedules, or rotational workforce systems.
All arrangements must comply with Civil Service Commission rules, particularly maintaining the standard 40-hour work week.
The EO encouraged the implementation of energy conservation measures such as maintaining air-conditioning thermostats at 24 degrees Celsius, scheduling shutdowns of air-conditioning units for at least two hours during the day, turning off non-essential lights and equipment during lunch breaks and non-operational days, and activating energy-saving modes on office equipment.
Offices were urged to maximize natural lighting and ventilation and implement other practical energy efficiency initiatives.
Virtual meetings were recommended as the default mode for inter-office coordination, conferences, seminars, and consultations, while official travel should be limited to essential purposes.
Vehicle use was also addressed, with guidelines to consolidate trips, optimize routes, minimize idling, and perform regular maintenance to improve fuel efficiency.
Additional measures include minimizing elevator use and promoting responsible energy use among personnel.