Nograles supports 4-day work week

Speaker Prospero Nograles expressed yesterday his full support for Malacañang’s proposal for all government agencies nationwide to adopt a four-day work week, in line with government efforts to cut down on power and fuel consumption.

The House leader said the work scheme, which the House of Representatives has been observing for several years now, can be replicated in other government offices, which means “tens of millions of pesos in terms of savings on power and transportation fuel consumption.”

“The little savings that each of these offices can set aside when put together will be substantial,” Nograles said, adding that aside from the savings derived from the scheme, it also afforded congressmen more time for consultations with their constituents.

“We have adopted this system for years in the House, saving us millions of pesos in terms of savings in electricity cost and savings in transportation cost for our employees,” Nograles said in a statement.

The Speaker also said the system would also give more time for employees to be with their families or to do other productive endeavors that would augment their income.

He clarified, however, that this work schedule “cannot apply to all government agencies since it might also disrupt their vital services.”

“We have to study the circumstances facing the health services and those involved in peace and order, among others,” he said.

Nograles explained that government hospitals, health clinics and centers, law enforcement agencies and similar public services “may not be covered by the scheme as their services demand a seven-day work week.”

“Maybe personnel rotation can be adopted. Skeletal work force may be adopted in some offices where lighting and air-conditioning units in unused areas could be shut off during weekends,” he said.

Bulacan Rep. Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado earlier proposed the enforcement of daylight saving time in both government and private offices to conserve energy and also the possibility of implementing a four-working day policy in government offices, except those where there are daily transactions such as city and municipal halls.

She said the government should also take the initiative to implement measures to save on fuel and electricity, to cushion the impact of spiraling world crude prices that are projected to reach $200 per barrel.

Sy-Alvarado also suggested carpooling as a means to save on gas, saying it is “most ideal especially for group travels.”

“We can save a lot of gas and at the same time help alleviate traffic congestion if we travel by group,” she said.