Escudero: 4-day work week could cut P3.5B daily traffic losses

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Sunday called on private companies to follow suit in implementing a four-day work week to cushion the impact of fuel price hikes amid tensions in the Middle East.

Citing a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Escudero said traffic in Metro Manila drains ₱3.5 billion from the economy daily and is projected to reach ₱5.4 billion by 2035 if no effective solutions are implemented.

“If we are losing P3.5 billion every single day because of traffic, that means Metro Manila is bleeding roughly ₱105 billion a month and more than ₱1.27 trillion a year,” Escudero said in a statement.

The senator noted that flexible work arrangements could help reduce daily transport demand and lower operating costs.

“Acting this early as we anticipate what could possibly happen would strengthen the country’s resilience should the situation worsen,” he said.

Escudero also said companies with offices in major business districts such as Makati and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig should consider flexible work arrangements to help reduce peak-hour congestion.

“These areas experience some of the heaviest daily traffic volumes, making them ideal starting points for mobility-oriented workplace reforms,” he said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier announced that starting March 9, a four-day work week would temporarily be implemented in offices under the executive department.

Memorandum Circular No. 114 highlighted the need to adopt strict energy conservation measures to reduce the energy footprint of government operations and optimize the use of public resources.

Earlier, the Department of Energy projected that diesel prices may exceed ₱80 per liter in March if there are no staggered price adjustments amid rising tensions in the Middle East.—MCG, GMA Integrated News