Malacañang to evaluate 4-day workweek proposal

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang said Thursday it will evaluate the proposal to implement a four-day workweek scheme to help ease traffic flow in Metro Manila.

House Minority Leader Benny Abante Jr. earlier urged private firms to implement a four-day workweek scheme this December to help ease traffic flow during the holiday season.

He also appealed to the Palace to also study the implementation of the scheme for non-frontline offices of national government agencies.

President Duterte’s spokesman and legal counsel Salvador Panelo said they will evaluate the recommendation like any other proposal from other government agencies.

“We will evaluate all recommendations coming from any department or agency desiring to recommend,” Panelo told reporters in a text message.

The lawmaker likewise suggested that private firms “maximize” the Republic Act 11165 or the Telecommuting Act, which allows employees to work in the comfort of their homes.

Abante even cited multinational tech giant Microsoft as an example of private firms that implemented a four-day workweek scheme, pointing out that it led to a 40-percent boost in productivity.

“There is no harm in trying because, at this point, we should explore all possibilities to help address our traffic woes,” Abante said.

READ: Solon urges offices: Enforce 4-day workweek in December

Edited by JE