Marcos orders 4-day work week in government agencies

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Friday announced that starting March 9, 2026, a four-day work week will temporarily be implemented in offices under the executive department.

''Para naman sa bahagi ng pamahalaan, imula sa Lunes, ika-9 ng Marso, pansamantala nating ipapatupad ang four-day work week sa ilang tanggapan ng ehekutibo,'' Marcos said in a video message.

(For the part of the government: Beginning Monday, March 9, we will temporarily implement a four-day work week for some offices under the executive branch.) 

This was part of his call to save energy resources amid the conflict in the Middle East.

''Hindi kabilang dito ang mga nagbibigay ng emergency o pangunahing serbisyo, gaya ng mga pulis, bumbero, at mga tanggapan na nagbibigay ng frontline services sa publiko,'' Marcos said.

(This does not include those providing emergency services such as the police, firemen, and other offices offering frontline services to the public.) 

This is part of the government's measures to save energy resources amid the conflict in the Middle East.

Marcos said that unnecessary travel and activities such as study tours and team-building activities would temporarily be prohibited.   

''Pansamantala ring ipinagbabawal ang mga biyahe at aktibidad ng pamahalaan na hindi naman kinakailangan, gaya ng mga study tour, team-building activities, o mga meeting na maaari namang gawin online,'' Marcos said.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 114, it was stated that there was a need to adopt strict energy conservation measures to further reduce the energy footprint of government operations and optimize the use of public resources.

"To further reduce building energy load and transport fuel use, agencies shall adopt a four-day onsite work arrangement, through a compressed workweek or a designated common day for work-from-home arrangements," the memo read.

The measure will be in accordance with Civil Service Commission (CSC) MC No. 6 (s. 2022), as amended by CSC MC No. 1 (s. 2025), and such other existing rules and guidelines for the adoption of flexible work arrangements

"The adoption of a four-day onsite work arrangement shall be implemented starting 09 March 2026 and shall remain in effect until lifted or sooner revoked by the President. This arrangement shall serve as an interim measure, to be continued only until circumstances warrant its modification or discontinuance," the memo said.

''For this purpose, all agencies are hereby directed to formulate their respective internal guidelines to ensure proper monitoring and documentation, including verification of attendance, and performance standards and monitoring mechanisms, in accordance with existing CSC laws, rules and regulations,'' it added.

Marcos also directed all agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including GOCCs, to reduce their actual electricity and fuel consumption by 10% to 20%. — BAP, GMA Integrated News