‘Staggered’ four-day workweek proposed

An administration lawyer has recommended a “staggered” four-day workweek for various government agencies currently being reviewed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

In a two-page letter to President Arroyo, Romulo Macalintal said the weekday off “should be… implemented alternatively in the various areas of Metro Manila.” The letter was coursed through Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

“For instance, offices in Quezon City and Manila will have no work on Mondays; Caloocan City and Pasay City will have no work on Tuesdays; Parañaque City, Las Piñas City and Makati will have their day off on Wednesdays, and so on,” he said.

Macalintal said the “combination of cities or areas in the alternating arrangement of (days off) will depend on the number of population or traffic condition in these areas as may be determined by the Metro Manila Development Authority.”

The proposed cut in the number of working days is part of the government to save energy and reduce traffic jams.

Macalintal said the government would be able to save P18 billion a year if his proposal is adopted, “coupled with the strict implementation of the number coding traffic rules.”

But to compensate for the loss of one workday, Macalintal said the working hours of offices could be adjusted accordingly to comply with the 40 hours of work required each week.

He said if his proposal is successful in Metro Manila, “the same may also be tried in… the cities of Cebu and Davao and other highly urbanized cities.”

“Even private entities may adopt this scheme while educational institutions may also be encouraged to support it by making proper adjustments in their school schedules… However, this proposal may not apply to government agencies at the frontline of public service like those involved in health, social welfare and the like,” Macalintal said.