ILOILO City Hall will implement the four-day workweek starting Monday, March 28, 2022, to help employees cope with increasing prices of fuels and conserve energy as cost-saving measures.

This scheme was recommended by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

“We need to adjust because of rising costs of fuel. This will mean savings on electricity and less traffic. As an added value, this will also allow our officials and employees to have quality time with their families for three days – Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said.

City Hall targets to open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday to cover the required 40-hour workweek.

Treñas said district health centers, personnel of the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office and project monitoring of City Engineer’s Office, among other offices providing essential services, will continue with the five-day schedule.

City-owned modern jeepneys and buses will transport employees from district plazas to City Hall and vice versa.

The mayor consulted the Resource Employees Association of City Hall, department heads and City Council members and they have no objection. He added this will be cleared with the Civil Service Commission for a go-signal.

Private companies and other government agencies will have to decide on their own whether to adopt the four-day work week or not. (PR)