Cebu officials weigh in on proposed 4-day workweek

Local

AS THE idea of a four-day workweek gains attention, local officials in Cebu are weighing its potential benefits and challenges.

Vice Governor Glenn Soco on Friday, March 6, said he does not support an across-the-board four-day workweek if it is implemented solely as a reaction to the Middle East crisis.

“It might cause disruptions in business which would affect our economy eventually,” he said.

Soco added that such a setup could be studied for specific sectors, noting that “retail [and] health…cannot just call on an across-the-board four-day work a week.”

Soco also raised concerns about alignment with international schedules.

He added that a hasty implementation “might create more harm than good” and needs “careful study and careful planning.”

He encouraged Cebuanos to “rethink the way you live,” emphasizing that inflationary pressures may follow global crises.

Meanwhile, Gov. Pamela Baricuatro expressed interest in exploring a four-day workweek to improve productivity, reduce burnout, and support the well-being of frontliners, public servants, and local businesses.

In a social media post on Friday, she said studies show shorter, focused workweeks “can maintain or even improve output while giving people more time for family, community, and personal growth.”

She invited the public to share ideas, concerns, or success stories as the province considers the proposal.

Nationally, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also been reported to consider studying a four-day workweek as part of efforts to save energy amid the escalating Middle East conflict, according to Malacañang.

Presidential Communications Office press officer Claire Castro said the President may review the suggestion if tensions between Israel and Iran persist.

The proposal has not yet reached Cabinet discussions.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has previously proposed condensing the traditional five-day workweek into four days or expanding work-from-home arrangements to ease the burden of rising oil prices.

Flexible arrangements for government employees are allowed under Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 6, series of 2022.

While private sector workers can take advantage of alternative work setups under the Telecommuting Act (Republic Act No. 11165).(MyTVCebu)