Adjusted working hours implemented in NCR LGUs

The adjusted work schedule for employees of local governments in the National Capital Region (NCR) took effect on Thursday, according to the Metro Manila Council (MMC).

To ease the traffic problems, Metro Manila mayors decided to change the working hours in their city and municipal government offices to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Unang araw pa lang ng pagpapatupad natin ng pag-shift ng oras to 7a.m. to 4 p.m. Inaasahan po natin na makakatulong po ito sa daloy ng trapiko,” said MMC president Francis Zamora on Unang Balita.

(It's just the first day of our implementation of the shift to 7a.m. to 4 p.m. We hope that this will help the flow of traffic.)

“Sapagkat ang layunin natin umiwas yung mahigit 100,000 kawani ng mga pamahalaang lungsod dito sa Metro Manila sa rush hour,” he added.

(The goal is for the more than 100,000 employees of city governments to avoid rush hour.)

The vehicle count and traffic situation will be monitored to evaluate the impact of the alternative work schedule, he added.

During the initial period of earlier working hours, Zamora said skeletal forces in vital services will have to work from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. to accommodate citizens who are still unaware of the changes.

Earlier, the MMC, composed of 17 LGUs in NCR, passed a resolution mandating the adjustment of working hours in LGUs.

“The persistent traffic congestion in Metro Manila demands innovative solutions for the improvement of commuting conditions and the well-being of the citizens of the NCR,” the resolution read.

“The findings derived from the MMDA study underscore the potential effectiveness of implementing a standardized working schedule for government offices in Metro Manila, particularly during peak hours, in reducing traffic congestion,” it added.

NCR LGUs were advised to issue an ordinance to implement the adjusted working schedule. --Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News