DepEd implements 4-day onsite workweek with Friday WFH to save energy

The Department of Education (DepEd) has directed its offices nationwide to adopt a four-day onsite work arrangement from Monday to Thursday, with Fridays designated as a work-from-home (WFH) day, as part of government efforts to conserve energy and reduce fuel consumption.

The policy was issued under DepEd Memorandum No. 018, series of 2026, signed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara on March 8.

Under the directive, the new work setup will take effect starting March 9, 2026, and will remain in force until lifted by the Office of the President.

The Education Department said the measure implements Memorandum Circular No. 114 issued by the Office of the President of the Philippines, which orders government agencies to adopt energy conservation protocols and flexible work arrangements amid rising fuel costs linked to global geopolitical tensions.

Teachers not affected

The department clarified that the WFH arrangement will apply to non-teaching and related teaching personnel, including contract-of-service and job-order employees.

Teaching personnel, however, will continue following their existing class schedules and school arrangements to ensure the uninterrupted conduct of classes and end-of-school-year activities.

Energy-saving measures

Aside from the flexible work setup, DepEd offices were instructed to implement a series of energy conservation protocols aimed at reducing electricity and fuel consumption by 10 to 20 percent.

Among the required measures are:

• Maintaining air-conditioning thermostat settings at 24°C
• Activating sleep settings on office equipment
• Turning off non-essential lights and electronic devices during lunch breaks and after office hours
• Minimizing elevator use by encouraging personnel to take the stairs when feasible

The memorandum also orders inter-agency meetings, consultations, and conferences to be held virtually, with physical meetings allowed only when deemed operationally necessary.

Limits on official travel

DepEd further directed offices to restrict official travel to essential and critical functions, particularly when objectives cannot be effectively achieved through virtual meetings or electronic communication.

To reduce fuel consumption in government transport, offices must also adopt fleet-efficiency measures such as:

• Consolidating official trips
• Optimizing travel routes and schedules
• Minimizing engine idling
• Using the “full-tank method” for fuel monitoring

Services must continue

Despite the WFH arrangement, DepEd said government services must remain continuous, efficient, and uninterrupted, especially for frontline offices.

Heads of offices were instructed to establish mechanisms ensuring that clients and stakeholders can still submit requests and lodge inquiries through official communication channels.

The department also emphasized that the implementation of the work arrangement must comply with Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, which requires agencies to maintain zero backlog in frontline and non-frontline services.

Attendance and performance of personnel working remotely will be monitored through Daily Time Records, individual daily logs, and accomplishment reports, subject to approval by immediate supervisors. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News