4-day workweek eyed to save energy

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March 5, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos may consider a four-day workweek as part of efforts to conserve energy amid soaring oil prices triggered by escalating conflict in the Middle East, Malacañang said yesterday.

“Right now, the President is considering such suggestion especially if the Israel-Iran issue gets worse,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in Filipino at a press briefing.

The proposed work scheme, however, has yet to be tackled at Malacañang, she added. Sen. Win Gatchalian suggested that some companies carry out a four-day workweek or work-from-home arrangements to help save energy.

Earlier, Marcos directed national government offices to conserve energy and encouraged local government units and the general public to adopt similar energy-saving measures.

At the President’s direction, the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee has issued an advisory outlining measures to save energy amid the Middle East crisis.

It advised national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and local government units to reduce fuel consumption by at least 10 percent.

Pitching in to ease the burden of the people, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is calling on manufacturers of basic goods to maintain their prices with further hikes in fuel likely in the coming days.

“We always want a win-win, for what’s best [for consumers and manufacturers],” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque told reporters on the sidelines of the Philippines-Korea Business Forum yesterday.

She said that there has been no movement so far in the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities. She also said that the DTI has also not received requests from manufacturers to adjust prices. “Of course, their goods were made before this increase [in fuel prices],” Roque said.

Asked if there are plans to push for a price freeze, she said that the DTI team is still discussing such approach. “I can’t say for sure, but we will talk first,” she said. She said the DTI is also set to hold talks with manufacturers.

Basic necessities cover canned sardines, milk, coffee, bread, noodles, salt, detergent or laundry soap, bottled water and candles. Prime commodities include canned meat products, condiments, toilet soap and batteries.

Power rate hike

With fuel costs rising, electricity rates may not be far behind. Manila Electric Co. chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said the country’s largest power utility is set to review its current fuel position.

“We want to ensure an adequate supply of power and manage price volatility as responsibly as possible. (I) have made it clear to the team that we must help protect consumers as the cost of goods rises globally,” Pangilinan said in a social media post yesterday.

Meralco, which serves over eight million customers in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, currently sources 30 percent of its supply requirements from imported fuel.

While the Middle East conflict has no immediate impact yet on power prices, Meralco head of utility economics Larry Fernandez said it would likely hit consumer bills as early as April. – Louella Desiderio, Brix Lelis