MMDA imposing 4-day work week for office personnel

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be adjusting its office hours in compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to implement a four-day work week amid rising fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict.

The MMDA said that it is implementing the four-day work week schedule starting Monday, March 9. The circular covers all of its officials and employees stationed at the MMDA main office in Pasig City.

READ: Four-day workweek starts in some gov’t offices

Under the temporary new working schedule, the working hours are adjusted to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., inclusive of lunch and snack breaks from Mondays to Thursdays while Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are considered as rest days.

The memorandum also noted that all office lights and non-essential electrical equipment must be turned off whenever possible during lunch break. 

The agency, however, said that “[o]ffices performing essential, field, operational, or emergency response functions located outside the MMDA Main Building are excluded from the Four-Day Work Week Scheme under this Circular, to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of services to the public.”

“This arrangement aims to optimize the use of office facilities, reduce energy consumption, and promote a more efficient and sustainable work environment while ensuring that the agency’s mandates and services to the public remain uninterrupted,” it added.

READ: Diesel tipped for P20/liter hike as Middle East conflict continues

The MMDA added that the provision of service shuttles for routes outside the MMDA main building, including PITX, Lawton, Sta. Lucia, MCU Monumento, Fairview and other distant locations will be suspended under the four-day work week scheme.

Meanwhile, service shuttles will continue from MMDA main building, covering routes from C-5, Pasig City to Edsa (SM Megamall) and vice versa. 

Marcos on Friday announced the temporary implementation of the new working schedule in offices of the executive branch starting March 9 as part of the government’s efforts to conserve energy and reduce fuel consumption amid continued oil price hikes as the conflict in the Middle East persists. /gsg