Philippines President Gloria Arroyo ordered most Philippine government offices to go on to four-day working weeks in April and May to conserve energy amid surging crude oil prices, the presidential palace said today.
Government employees in the executive branch will work four days of 10 hours each instead of five, eight hour-days from Monday to Friday, according to an administrative order signed by Arroyo.
She said it was “imperative for the government to lead the way in energy conservation, without jeopardising 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”.
State-owned corporations would also adopt the new working week. The order excludes government agencies with vital functions as well as those involved in providing health, safety, security, protection, emergency and other services.
Arroyo also urged the legislature and the judiciary, as well as independent government commissions and local government units to adopt the four-day work week.
The presidential palace did not say what savings could be made under. Press reports said the government hoped to save up to 144 million pesos ($3.38 million), or less than 2 per cent of its annual expenditure on electricity, water, petroleum, oil and lubricants costs.
