As traffic worsens, bill allowing ‘work from home’ gets solons’ nod

With traffic getting worse and fuel costs rising, Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas has urged colleagues to speed up final approval of a proposed law giving employees the option of “telecommuting employment” or working from home.

A consolidated bill was passed on second reading in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Vargas pointed out that a similar measure in the Senate, authored by Senators Joel Villanueva and Cynthia Villar, was already approved on final reading in May 2017.

Vargas, a member of the House committee on transportation, said telecommuting would benefit both employees and employers reeling from worsening traffic conditions and rising fuel prices.

“[Telecommuting] improves organization retention, employee performance and customer satisfaction. It also leads to better health for employees as telecommuting lessens their exposure to pollution,” he added.

Other advantages, Vargas said, include a boost in employee morale, reduced work-related stress, and increased productivity.

Telecommuting also reduces a company’s need to spend for office space, he added.

Based on a study conducted by Japan International Coordination Agency, the Philippines was losing about P2.4 billion daily due to traffic.