GASATAYA (FB)
BACOLOD CITY – This highly urbanized city reverted to the five-day work week starting Monday.
Mayor Greg Gasataya announced the development, saying that economic conditions have improved with the stabilization of fuel prices and transportation costs.
Under Executive Order (EO) 26, Gasataya directed all department heads to ensure a smooth transition from the four-day work week back to the regular five-day schedule, while maintaining uninterrupted public services.
“Based on our assessment, we can now return to the regular work schedule as fuel prices continue to improve,” the mayor said in an interview.
He added that returning to the regular work week would improve public service efficiency and ensure better coordination of government responses.
Gasataya said he discussed the plan with Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesus Victor Remulla during his visit here on May 9.
"We will continue to implement low-cost energy efficiency and conservation measures. This is still aligned with the city’s austerity measures, particularly on energy conservation,” he said.
On March 16, the city government adopted the four-day work week, from Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The compressed schedule adheres to the mandatory 40 working hours per week, in compliance with Memorandum Circular 114 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., directing all government agencies to adopt energy conservation measures.
By April 6, Gasataya required city government employees to report onsite Monday to Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and observe work-from-home arrangement every Friday.
The neighboring cities of Bago and Silay also resumed the five-day work week.