The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business advocacy group, said it backs government efforts to curb fuel consumption through a four-day workweek but warned such labor arrangements are not universally applicable across all industrial sectors.

In a statement on Wednesday, March 11, the group stated that while a compressed schedule offers relief amid rising energy costs driven by Middle East tensions, the model remains impractical for manufacturing and logistics firms facing production backlogs.

The PCCI is now urging Congress to grant President Marcos emergency powers to mitigate the impact of price hikes on Filipino households, suggesting potential cuts to excise taxes or value-added tax on fuel.

For the manufacturing sector and other industries requiring continuous operations, a four-day schedule presents significant logistical hurdles.

The chamber warned that factories managing production backlogs cannot abruptly halt operations without risking the disruption of delivery commitments. Despite these challenges, some firms have already transitioned to a compressed workweek model.

Under this arrangement, employees fulfill the standard 40-hour requirement by working 10 hours per day over four days, allowing them to maintain full compensation and productivity levels while reducing the frequency of shifts.

The PCCI highlighted the immediate financial relief a shorter workweek offers the commuting public. By reducing the workweek by one day, employees could see an estimated 20 percent reduction in transportation costs.

Motorists would similarly benefit from lower fuel consumption, reduced parking fees, and a decrease in miscellaneous travel-related expenses.

As rising fuel costs are expected to permeate logistics networks and drive up the price of consumer goods in the coming months, the chamber is calling for more aggressive legislative intervention.

The organization further expressed its willingness to support various government fiscal measures, including the potential reduction of excise taxes and value-added tax (VAT) on fuel, or the identification of alternative funding sources to subsidize energy costs.

In the interim, the private sector has intensified its own conservation initiatives. Many firms have already implemented carpooling programs, expanded work-from-home options, and adjusted air-conditioning settings to maximize energy efficiency.

The chamber also noted an uptick in investments toward renewable energy sources, such as solar power, alongside bulk purchasing strategies and industry-wide coordination. These efforts reflect a broader commitment by the business community to reduce the nation's overall energy footprint amid global market volatility.