Treñas 'open' to 4-day work week

By Jeehan V. Fernandez

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas will be consulting with officials and staff regarding the national government's four-day work week scheme.

Treñas stressed he would get the opinions of the city councilors, department heads and employees on the matter. Likewise, he would look into the copy of the signed memorandum of said plan.

“I will try to make a decision,” Treñas stressed citing that some officials are in favor while it is still unclear for others. He pointed out that it could be adopted by the city “as long as it will not affect efficiency”.

However, Treñas noted this work method would not apply to the city's health office, street cleaners, traffic aides, and others who render vital services.

It can be noted that President Gloria Arroyo had ordered the government offices to adopt a four-day work week in April and May as a strategy to conserve energy while oil prices soar.

As reported, from April 4 to May 31, government workers in the executive branch will work four days of 10 hours each instead of the five, eight hour-days from Monday to Friday.

Reportedly, Arroyo's administrative order states it was “imperative for the government to lead the way in energy conservation, without jeopardizing the delivery of public service, in order to mitigate the impact of the oil price increases on the government's fiscal position and the country's dollar reserves”.
Further, the report says that state-owned corporations would also take on the new work week while the order excludes government agencies with vital functions as well as those involved in providing health, safety, security, protection, emergency and other services.
It is seen then that Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays will be non-working days for the next two months.
Reports said with the 4-day work week the government hopes to save up to 144 million pesos (US$ 2.6 million) or less than two percent of its annual expenses on electricity, water, petroleum, and lubricants costs. (With AFP report)