MANILA, Philippines — Saying it would help “minimally improve” vehicular traffic along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, an adjustment in working hours for national government offices is being proposed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to President Marcos. Based on the MMDA proposal, work period for state employees in Metro Manila should be adjusted an hour earlier or from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. instead of 8 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The work schedule proposed for national government workers has been in effect since May 2024 for employees of local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila.
In a study presented at a Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting yesterday, the MMDA said car traffic volume is “distributed” during the morning peak hours from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. under the new work schedule.
During the meeting, MMC president and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora as well as Pasay Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano approved the proposed adjustment in working hours for national government employees.
“Travel time decreased by 10.2 percent, while travel speed increased by 20.7 percent on the roads near the city and municipal halls of the LGUs,” the MMDA said in the report.
The modified work schedule “led to minimal improvement in traffic flow along Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares, as most LGU infrastructure is situated on city and municipal roads,” the MMDA said.
Implementing the proposed revised work schedule would “distribute private vehicles used by employees of national government agencies during peak hours by 37.15 percent,” the MMDA pointed out.
There are 473,533 workers of national government agencies in the metropolis.
With the work schedule moved back an hour, national government workers taking public transportation would “avoid the rush hour alongside private sector employees,” according to the MMDA.