BARICUATRO (Cebu Province FB)
CEBU CITY – Normal working schedules are back at the Cebu Provincial Capitol after Gov. Pamela Baricuatro issued an executive order (EO) lifting the four-day work week starting Monday, May 4.
Baricuatro issued an EO last March imposing a compressed working schedule as part of the austerity measures to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs.
With the compressed working schedule lifted, all provincial departments, offices, and units returned to the regular five-day work week from Monday to Friday. Workers also returned to the standard working hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In an interview with reporters, Provincial Administrator Ace Durano said decreasing fuel prices was one of the considerations for the lifting of the compressed work week. Durano said some offices also pushed for the return to regular working schedule.
The normal working schedule may have returned but the energy-saving measures introduced during the four-day work week will remain in effect, said Durano. Durano said airconditioning units in offices must be set not lower than 23 degrees to minimize electric consumption.
Official travels will continue to be regulated and only essential trips are encouraged, Durano added.