The Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte has adopted a temporary compressed work schedule and strict energy conservation measures in response to rising prices of petroleum products triggered by the ongoing tension in the Middle East.

Governor Darel Dexter Uy issued an executive order on Sunday, March 8, 2026, implementing the temporary compressed work schedule scheme effective Monday, March 9.

Based on the order, all offices under the provincial government are directed to transition to a four-day work week.

This means employees will render 40 hours weekly from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with one hour lunch break. Department heads will have to determine the reporting days.

“To ensure uninterrupted delivery of public service, Provincial Government offices shall remain open to the public from Monday to Friday. However, employees and workers shall report four days a week (either from Monday to Thursday/Tuesday to Friday or as determined by the Department Heads) ensuring that the 40-hour work week required by the Civil Service Commission rules is met,” the order said.

Essential and frontline services, including hospitals and public safety and security units are exempted and will continue normal operations.

Offices are also directed to reduce power and fuel consumption by 10 to 20 percent through energy-saving practices such as maintaining air-conditioning units at 24 degrees Celsius, turning off non-essential lights and equipment during lunch breaks and after office hours, and setting office devices to “sleep mode” when idle.

Non-essential official travel, study tours, in-person team-building activities, and large-scale seminars are suspended until further notice.

Meetings and conferences should be conducted via online platforms to minimize fuel consumption.