La Union mayor orders 4-day workweek

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines  –The mayor of this city has implemented a four-day workweek for its more than 500 employees due to the hot weather and to save on electricity.

City hall employees were required to report for work from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays starting last week until May 31.

He said personnel in frontline services, such as those in the health office, are not covered by the order.

 “In view of the need to respond to the call to adopt measures to mitigate the ill-effects of climate change especially the El Niño phenomenon, the city government decided to adopt the four-day workweek for the month of April and May,” San Fernando City Mayor Pablo Ortega said in his executive order.

“It (four days work) is for austerity and for our employees to enjoy the rest of the week for longer time to mingle with their families during this summer, “ he added.

He said the directive is expected to generate substantial savings on the city government’s electric bill and other related office operating and maintenance costs.

The scheme, which has been implemented in the previous years by several government offices, is pursuant to the order of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo calling for austerity measures among government agencies.       

On March 28, 2005, Arroyo signed Administrative Order 117 which directed all government offices in the executive branch, except those performing front-line services, to adopt the four-day workweek for the months of April and May.

In line with the austerity measures, Ortega said the city government has also continued implementing the previous directive to turn on air-conditioning units from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.