The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday, March 27, urged local government units (LGUs) nationwide to adopt a four-day onsite workweek as part of a broader push to cut energy use and reduce government spending.

The DILG issued Memorandum Circular 2026-023 to address the continued global rise in oil and petroleum prices and in line with the directive of President Marcos Jr.’s directive to prevent the wasteful use of energy resources.

Among the measures encouraged is the adoption of a four-day onsite work arrangement, the DILG said, noting that this may be done through a compressed workweek or by assigning a common work-from-home day to reduce electricity consumption in government offices.

The proposal echoed earlier government efforts during periods of high fuel costs and power shortages, when agencies were told to scale down energy use and adjust work arrangements.

The DILG said the directive formed part of a wider set of measures meant to ensure immediate and practical reductions in power consumption across LGUs.

These include maintaining a 24°C standard for air-conditioning, holding virtual meetings for coordination, limiting official travel to essential functions, improving fuel and fleet efficiency, and reducing elevator use when practicable, the DILG said.

The agency noted that such steps align with the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), which mandates state offices to monitor and reduce their energy use.

Likewise, the DILG urged all LGUs across the country to cut their electricity and fuel consumption by up to 20 percent. Similar reduction targets have been imposed in past years during energy crises to ease pressure on public funds and stabilize consumption.

“LGUs can lead by example by adopting simple but effective measures that reduce electricity and fuel consumption. Even small adjustments in daily operations can make a significant difference in achieving our goal of cutting energy use by as much as 20 percent," the DILG noted.

However, the DILG said that enforcing energy-saving measures must not disrupt the continuous delivery of essential government services, particularly those related to health, public safety, and emergency response.