CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government will again implement a four-day workweek starting Monday, September 28, as part of measures to reduce energy consumption amid Cebu’s power situation.
Under a memorandum issued by Gov. Pamela S. Baricuatro on September 23, provincial government offices and departments will operate from Monday to Thursday, with working hours from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The latest arrangement is pursuant to Executive Order No. 16, Series of 2026, which adopted a four-day workweek and energy conservation protocols in the Province of Cebu while encouraging component cities and municipalities to adopt similar measures.
The provincial government first adopted the four-day workweek in March under the same executive order, which was issued amid rising fuel prices.
Four-day workweek
Under the new arrangement, employees will complete the required 40-hour workweek across four working days, with the Monday-to-Thursday schedule running from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The executive order allows the provincial government and its offices to adopt a compressed four-day workweek with extended working hours, designated work-from-home arrangements where feasible, staggered work schedules, or rotational workforce arrangements.
All such arrangements must comply with Civil Service Commission rules and regulations, particularly the requirement to complete the 40-hour workweek.
The order also requires that all measures adopted under it ensure the continuous, efficient, and uninterrupted delivery of government services, particularly frontline services.
Some offices retain regular schedules
Not all provincial government offices will shift to the four-day schedule.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Cebu Provincial Health Office (CPHO), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), and Cebu North and South Bus Terminals (CNSBT) are required to maintain their usual operating schedules.
The memorandum encourages the Provincial General Office (PGO), Provincial General Services Office (PGSO), and Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO) to assign personnel who will continue working regular Monday-to-Friday office hours.
The executive order further provides that offices responsible for health services, public safety, disaster response, and other critical services shall remain fully operational at all times.
READ: Cebu City Hall shifts to 4-day workweek amid brownouts, rising costs
Energy conservation
Under Executive Order No. 16, the provincial government and its component local government units are encouraged to implement energy conservation measures in government buildings.
These include maintaining air-conditioning thermostat settings at 24°C, scheduling the shutdown of air-conditioning units for at least two hours during the workday where practicable, and turning off non-essential lights, air-conditioning units, and electronic equipment during lunch breaks, after office hours, and on non-operational days.
Government offices are encouraged to activate energy-saving or sleep settings on office equipment and computers, maximize natural lighting and ventilation whenever feasible, and conduct other energy-efficiency measures where doable.
The order also encourages using virtual meetings as the default mode for inter-office coordination, conferences, seminars, and consultations.
Official travel will be limited to essential and indispensable functions, while necessary trips should be consolidated and travel routes optimized.
For government vehicles, the order encourages the consolidation of official trips, the optimization of travel routes, strict minimization of vehicle idling, and regular preventive maintenance.
Other measures include minimizing elevator use by encouraging personnel to take the stairs when feasible, implementing other appropriate energy conservation initiatives consistent with national energy efficiency policies, and promoting responsible energy use among government personnel.
READ: Four-day workweek: Where is the evidence?
LGUs encouraged to adopt measures
Executive Order No. 16 encourages Cebu’s component cities and municipalities to adopt a similar four-day workweek or other flexible work arrangements.
The order urges component local government units to pursue a 10 percent to 20 percent reduction in electricity consumption in government facilities through energy conservation measures.
The Provincial Human Resource Management Office, in coordination with the Provincial General Services Office and Provincial Planning and Development Office, may coordinate with local government units to document best practices and promote effective energy management measures.
The Cebu Provincial Government is implementing a four-day workweek starting Sept. 28, 2026, alongside energy-saving measures to address power challenges.