THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced it will implement an adjusted work schedule beginning March 13, 2026, in compliance with an order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to practice energy conservation across government agencies.
Under the new arrangement, DFA personnel will report onsite Monday through Thursday during regular working hours, while Fridays will be observed under a remote work arrangement. The policy complies with Office of the President Memorandum Circular 114, s. 2026, which instructs national government offices to adopt measures that reduce energy consumption.
The department said the hybrid setup will allow the agency to continue delivering public services while supporting broader government efforts to manage energy use efficiently.
Despite the adjusted schedule, the DFA assured the public that assistance for urgent matters will remain accessible through the following channels:
– DFA Trunkline: (+632) 8-834-4000
– Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Local: 4031
– Email: ofhelpdesk.atn@dfa.gov.ph
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) also announced the adoption of a five-day hybrid workweek, with employees reporting onsite Monday through Thursday and working remotely on Fridays.
CFO Chairman Dante Ang II said the new work arrangement aims to balance the continuous delivery of public services, improved employee productivity, and compliance with national energy-saving directives.
The arrangement was formalized through Office Order 082, s. 2026, issued in compliance with Memorandum Circular 114, s. 2026, which directs national government agencies to implement measures to reduce energy consumption.
Despite the adjusted work setup, the agency said public services for emigrants will remain available onsite from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
These services include:
– Pre-departure registration
– Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS)
– Guidance and Counseling Program (GCP) for spouses and partners of foreign nationals
– Peer Counseling Program (PCP) for young emigrants
On Fridays, the commission will conduct online-only PDOS sessions for emigrants bound for the United States and Canada.
Meanwhile, the Country Familiarization Seminar for participants in the Au Pair Program in Europe will continue to be held in person every Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the CFO main office, and every Wednesday at CFO extension offices. General concerns can be forwarded to info@cfo.gov.ph and J-1 visa concerns to j1.ofcors@cfo.gov.ph.
In a memorandum signed March 8, Acting Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez ordered all PCO personnel to observe a four-day onsite and one-day work-from-home (WFH) setup each week, except for output-based Contract of Service personnel.
The arrangement follows Memorandum Circular 114, which directs government agencies to adopt energy conservation and efficiency measures to reduce electricity and fuel consumption.
Under the guidelines, personnel may choose from staggered work schedules starting from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., with corresponding eight-hour shifts.
“Personnel who arrive after 9:30 a.m. shall be considered late. On the other hand, Fridays shall be designated as the common work-from-home day,” the memorandum read.
The memorandum also provides that employees who complete the required 40-hour workweek covering the four onsite days and one WFH day may render overtime services, subject to existing rules and approval of authorized officials.
However, services rendered for less than two hours beyond regular working hours will not be considered overtime.
Overtime at the New Executive Building at the Malacañang compound will not be allowed from Friday to Sunday or during holidays, according to the memorandum.
“Employees working remotely shall remain accessible during official working hours and shall comply with applicable reporting requirements,” it said.