Manila,Makati enforce 4-day workweek

March 10, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  As part of national energy-saving efforts, the local governments of Manila and Makati as well as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have implemented a four-day workweek. Manila city hall employees and MMDA personnel yesterday started working from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Workdays are shortened from Monday to Thursday.

Personnel in public-facing and time-sensitive services requiring on-site presence are not affected, Mayor Isko Moreno said.

These include workers in emergency response units, health and sanitation services as well as utility operations.

The Makati government will also adopt a four-day workweek setup starting March 16.

After Manila, Makati is the second city in the National Capital Region to comply with President Marcos’ directive to reduce electricity consumption and fuel usage amid the Middle East conflict.

Makati Mayor Nancy Binay said local offices will be shortened from Monday to Thursday, but service hours would be extended from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“We support the national government’s initiative to promote energy conservation across government offices,” Binay said. “At the same time, we want to make sure that vital services remain accessible to our constituents.”

For its part, the MMDA said the policy applies to officials and employees with support and administrative functions in Pasig.

“Personnel from the Operations Monitoring and Control Group – Metrobase and No Physical Contact Policy Program are excluded from the four-day workweek arrangement,” the MMDA said.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is also enforcing a shortened workweek schedule as part of austerity measures amid soaring pump prices.

The DOJ will implement a mandatory work-from-home scheme every Friday.

Frontline services and public assistance desks will remain available on-site through staggered personnel shifts, acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said.

Maximize online services

The Quezon City government has advised residents to maximize online services amid surging  fuel prices.

Residents and business owners can access the QC E-Services portal to process applications for business, occupational and building permits, scholarships, burial and medical aid, as well as payments for real property tax.

Commuters are encouraged to take advantage of the free QCity bus program and the city’s network of protected and shared bicycle lanes. –  Janvic Mateo, EJ Macababbad, Ghio Ong