SEVERAL local government units in the National Capital Region (NCR) have adopted a four-day workweek in compliance with the national directive to conserve energy and reduce fuel consumption amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The adjustments follow Memorandum Circular 114 issued by Malacañang, which directs government agencies and local governments to implement energy conservation measures.
Marikina, San Juan, Makati, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Mandaluyong and Malabon have adjusted work schedules while assuring residents that essential public services will continue uninterrupted.
In Marikina City, Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro signed Executive Order 05, Series of 2026, implementing a four-day workweek in city government offices.
Under the order, offices will operate Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., allowing employees to complete their required 40-hour workweek.
Government facilities will remain closed every Friday to cut down on electricity consumption.
Teodoro said that essential services and field operations, including the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, public safety units, and street maintenance teams, will remain fully operational.
San Juan City also adopted a four-day onsite workweek through Administrative Order FMZ-075 signed by Mayor Francis Zamora, with eligible offices shifting to a work-from-home arrangement every Friday while hospitals, health centers, and other frontline units continue regular operations.
In Makati, Mayor Nancy Binay said City Hall will implement the arrangement beginning March 16, with extended service hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Thursday, to ensure continued access to city services.
Las Piñas City, under Mayor April Aguilar, has adopted a schedule of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Thursday, while offices handling health services, disaster response, engineering and traffic management will maintain regular operations.
Meanwhile, Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon said some city offices will follow a 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. compressed workweek, alongside stricter monitoring of government vehicle fuel use as part of broader energy conservation measures.
The Parañaque City government, led by Mayor Edwin Olivarez, will implement a four-day workweek with work-from-home arrangements every Friday, while Mandaluyong City, under Mayor Menchie Abalos, ordered offices to operate 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Thursday, under Executive Order 2, Series of 2026.
The Malabon City government has also started implementing a four-day workweek schedule for its employees.
“We are expecting that all concerned employees and City Hall personnel would cooperate since the directive came directly from the president owing to the rapid fuel increases as a result of the ongoing Middle East conflict,” Mayor Jeannie Sandoval said.
Under the new arrangement, employees will have longer work hours from Monday to Thursday, ensuring the continued delivery of essential public services.
To initially comply with the 40-hour workweek required for employees, City Administrator Alexander Rosete said the work schedule for the second week of March will be as follows: March 10–11, 2026, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; March 12, 2026, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and March 13, 2026, is a non-working day.
After March 13, the regular work schedule will be from Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday will be a non-working day.
Rosete said offices that provide frontline services — such as the City Health Department, Ospital ng Malabon, City Social Welfare and Development Department, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Engineering Department, and the Public Safety and Transport Management Office — are exempted from the new scheme.
“They will continue their regular shifting schedules to ensure the continuous delivery of services to ‘Malabueños,’” he told The Manila Times.
With a report from
Arlie Calalo
