DOJ implements 4-day workweek for skeletal force until April 12

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is implementing a four-day workweek for the skeletal force that will continue performing core functions during the work suspension in its main office and Metro Manila prosecution offices until April 12.

In a department circular Friday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said reporting for work at the DOJ is suspended until April 12 unless sooner revoked or modified, pursuant to a resolution of the inter-agency task force on top of government measures against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

A four-day workweek consists of 10 hours of work a day. The skeletal workforce shall report on a weekly rotation basis from Mondays to Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., the circular states.

According to the circular, these offices shall require a minimum number of personnel to report for work: Office of the Secretary, Frontline Services, Technical Service, DOJ Action Center, Legal Staff, National Prosecution Service and its docket, Administrative Service, Records Management Section, Cashier, Financial Service, Office of the Secretary Appeals Management Office, and Board of Claims.

This is "without prejudice to such other alternative measures as working from home," the circular states.

Other DOJ offices and programs are to require at least one personnel to "be responsible for receiving papers and apprising the head of office/program" on any urgent matter." Chiefs of offices or units are "strictly mandated" to oversee their respective offices.

"As far as practicable, DOJ personnel residing outside the NCR shall not be included in the skeletal workforce, but shall be given assignments that can be done at or from home," the circular states.

"The foregoing notwithstanding, all DOJ personnel are required to stand by and be on-call, wherever they may be, as they may be asked by the Secretary of Justice to perform their functions should the exigencies of the service so require," it adds.

The DOJ's attached agencies are "encouraged" to adopt these rules or adopt their own as may be appropriate.

Inquest proceedings will continue and prosecutors will be on rotation to receive documents related to preliminary investigations during the period of public health emergency, according to another DOJ circular. —LDF, GMA News