Malacañang is studying the four-day work week authorized by the Civil
Service Commission (CSC) for government offices in Metro Manila.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said they will study whether or
not the new work scheme will be applied in the Office of the President
(OP), taking into consideration its impact on President Aquino’s
schedule and on the productivity of the personnel.
“I just spoke to the human resource of the Office of the President.
They just received this particular memo the other day from the CSC field
director. It is now submitted to one of the deputy executive
secretaries for study. There are requirements in order for one to use
the four-day work week. That has not been discussed yet, and most likely
there will be a discussion on that,” Lacierda said in a Palace press
briefing.
Lacierda said the President has “many engagements” in a week and at times does not even have a rest day.
The CSC had earlier issued a resolution allowing a four-day work week
for government agencies in the National Capital Region. The new work
schedule was drawn up in response to the heavy traffic situation in
Metro Manila.
Lacierda said the commission has provided guidelines before a government agency allows its personnel to work four days a week.
He said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) plans to study
the four-day work week proposal, considering that it has many offices
around the country.
“While the Civil Service Commission provides the guidelines, the
particular implementing agency has to also look at the guidelines
vis-à-vis their work activities and also their interaction with the
public sector… Will that affect the delivery of public service to our
citizenry?” he said.
Lacierda acknowledged that the ongoing infrastructure projects may cause some inconvenience to the public but these will soon improve the traffic flow in Metro Manila. “In the meantime, as always, we ask for understanding from the public,” he added.
