SEN. Francis Escudero urged private companies to consider adopting the proposed four‑day onsite workweek or implement staggered work‑hour schemes to cushion the impact of fuel price hikes amid the war in the Middle East.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier ordered a temporary four‑day workweek for some executive branch offices starting March 9 to conserve energy and reduce fuel use.
The Palace issued Memorandum Circular 114, which mandates, among others, to cut on electricity and fuel consumption by 10-20 percent, maintain air‑conditioning at 24 C, and suspend nonessential travel and activities.
Escudero on Sunday said that flexible work arrangements could help reduce daily transportation demand and lower operating costs as oil prices in the global market remain volatile.
The senator said it would provide workers with added relief and reduce billions of pesos in lost opportunities every day because of traffic congestion.
“Acting this early as we anticipate what could happen would strengthen the country’s resilience should the situation get worse,” Escudero said.
He noted that Congress has long implemented a four‑day workweek for its personnel. Extending similar schemes in the private sector could help reduce fuel consumption, save energy, and ease traffic congestion.
According to a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Metro Manila’s traffic congestion alone costs the economy an estimated P3.5 billion per day, a figure projected to rise to P5.4 billion daily by 2035 if unaddressed.
“If we are losing P3.5 billion every single day because of traffic, that means Metro Manila is bleeding roughly P105 billion a month and more than P1.27 trillion a year,” Escudero said.
He said, private-sector participation would amplify the benefits of the government’s temporary shift to a compressed work arrangement, especially in major business districts.
Escudero urged firms in Makati and Bonifacio Global City to explore flexible setups that can meaningfully reduce peak‑hour congestion.
“These areas experience some of the heaviest daily traffic volumes, making them ideal starting points for mobility‑oriented workplace reforms,” he said.
The circular also allows agencies to implement the four‑day onsite setup through a compressed workweek or a designated work‑from‑home day, consistent with Civil Service Commission policies.
He encouraged LGUs in major business districts to collaborate with employers on area‑wide mobility strategies, including synchronized staggered schedules, improved pedestrian access, and safer cycling routes.
He also urged the public to contribute to energy conservation through everyday habits such as biking short distances, carpooling, and adopting energy‑efficient practices at home.
