Mandaue to keep four-day workweek pending evaluation
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — The Mandaue City Government will continue implementing the four-day workweek for now but may lift it after an evaluation.
City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on Jr. said the local government will still assess whether to continue its current four-day workweek scheme, which was implemented three weeks ago as part of cost-saving measures.
Under the arrangement, city government offices operate on a four-day on-site work schedule, while Fridays are designated as work-from-home days, with only a skeletal workforce reporting physically.
Malig-on said the policy will remain in place for now, especially as the city continues to observe ongoing activities tied to the city fiesta this week and the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit. He noted that making immediate changes could lead to confusion among residents.
READ: Cebu City ends 4-day workweek, returns to regular schedule
He added that a decision on whether to maintain the four-day workweek or revert to the traditional five-day schedule will likely be made within the next week, with possible implementation either later this month or next month.
According to Malig-on, the evaluation with Mayor Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano will focus on whether the policy has achieved its intended goal of reducing operational costs.
This includes assessing savings on electricity consumption and motorpool expenses, as well as gathering data to determine if there has been a measurable impact.
“Ato pa na kuhaon nga data kung naa ba gyud impact. If walay impact, then we will go back to the usual. If naay impact, substantial ba?” said Malig-on.
(We still have to gather the data to determine if there is really an impact. If there is none, then we will go back to the usual. If there is an impact, is it substantial?)
READ: Four-day workweek: Where is the evidence?
The four-day workweek was introduced as part of conservation efforts in response to rising fuel costs linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The measure also aligns with a memorandum issued by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. encouraging government offices to adopt alternative work arrangements to reduce energy consumption.
Some local government units, including the Cebu Provincial Capitol, have already discontinued similar four-day workweek policies.
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