DepEd’s four-day workweek policy only applies to non-teaching and related-teaching personnel.
Teachers in public schools are not covered by the implementation of the work-from-home (WFH) arrangement every Friday, according to the Department of Education.
Under a memorandum issued by DepEd Undersecretary Fatima Lipp Panontongan, the four-day workweek policy only applies to non-teaching and related-teaching personnel in DepEd offices.
Under Memorandum Circular 114 signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, agencies shall adopt a four-day onsite work arrangement through a compressed workweek or a designated common day for WFH arrangements, in accordance with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to reduce building energy load and transport fuel use.
DepEd for its part has issued Memorandum No. 18, adopting a four-day onsite work schedule from Monday to Thursday and designating Friday as the common WFH day.
“The memorandum circular does not cover school-based personnel. The WFH provision for school-based non-teaching and related-teaching personnel is temporarily suspended until further notice to ensure the orderly conduct of end of school year activities,” Panontongan added.
Modified hours
The House of Representatives has adopted modified work arrangements and cost-cutting initiatives to streamline operations, reduce non-essential spending and promote more efficient use of public resources.
In a memorandum dated March 12, House secretary general Cheloy Garafil directed all offices to implement the measures in line with Malacañang’s fiscal discipline policy.
Under the new work setup, offices will adopt a hybrid work arrangement during both recess and session periods.
During recess, personnel will report on-site on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and WFH on Mondays and Thursdays. For session periods, the House will maintain a stronger on-site presence to support legislative work, with personnel reporting on-site from Monday to Wednesday and working from home on Thursdays.
The adjusted work setup, according to the memorandum, should not disrupt the delivery of services to lawmakers, employees and the public.
The Presidential Communications Office has also adopted the hybrid work arrangement with PCO Secretary Dave Gomez directing all personnel to follow a four-day workweek scheme, except for output-based contract of service.
The hybrid work arrangement is temporary and will remain in effect for the duration of the President’s directive on energy conservation, the PCO said.
The Civil Service Commission has announced that it will also enforce a compressed workweek, from Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to its advisory on Facebook.
Aside from the modified work hours, the CSC memorandum indicated “energy preservation protocols” aimed at “conserving energy and reducing operational costs while ensuring continuous public service.”
Marcos earlier ordered the temporary implementation of a four-day workweek in some executive branch offices starting March 9, as part of the government’s efforts to conserve energy and reduce fuel use amid rising global oil prices triggered by the ongoing Middle East crisis.
However, agencies that provide essential and frontline services will continue normal operations. These include offices responsible for health services, public safety and emergency response, such as the police, firefighters, and other frontline agencies. – With additional reports from Jose Rodel Clapano, Helen Flores and Ghio Ong