New Metro LGU work hours deferred until May 2

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Council (MMC), the governing board and policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), has decided to start on May 2 instead of April 15 the implementation of the new 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. work schedule for the local governments in Metro Manila.

In a joint press conference Friday, MMDA Acting Chair Romando Artes and San Juan City Mayor and MMC president Francis Zamora, said the postponement will give more time for the local government units (LGU) and the public to prepare for the transition to adjusted work hours. They said the new work schedule is expected to have a positive impact on the traffic flow in the metropolis.

READ: To ease traffic, Metro Manila LGUs adopt new work hours starting April 15

“[Even] with only 22 percent of the total 645,000 permanent government employees in National Capital Region having vehicles, peak hours will be spread out. There is also a huge impact in public utility vehicles ridership with almost half a million government employees commuting. From our observation, 4 p.m. is off-peak hours in terms of ridership, the employees can easily go home while those in the private sector can expect decongested public transportation,” Artes said.

Zamora, for his part, said that each of the local governments can develop their own respective flexible work arrangements that are feasible to their local government to ensure unhampered delivery of services. Meanwhile, offices and departments offering front-line services will not be subject to the adjusted working hours.

“There are many services that the local governments are offering, most are predominantly office-based while some are on-the-ground. But in general, time of transaction in usual offices will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. but the local government must ensure that all clients will be accommodated even until 5 p.m.,” he said.

Number coding remains

Artes also said other national government agencies located in Metro Manila were asked by President Marcos to submit suitable alternative work arrangement proposals in line with the 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. schedule to lessen rush hour traffic.

Artes emphasized that there will be no adjustment in number coding hours in light of the adjusted work hours for the local governments.

The MMDA number coding scheme is implemented from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, except weekends and holidays.

At the same time, Artes said the MMDA will start to strictly enforce the regulation on the e-bike, e-trike, light electric vehicles, tricycles, pedicabs, push carts and “kuligligs” starting Monday.