Philippines Implements Four-Day Work Week as Fuel Prices Rise Amid War
The Philippine government will implement a four-day workweek for government offices starting March 9. This move comes as fuel prices rise due to the war in the Middle East. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the policy is temporary, aimed at conserving energy and reducing fuel consumption as global oil prices surge amid the conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran.
“From the government side, starting Monday, March 9, we will temporarily implement a four-day workweek in some executive branch offices. This does not include offices that provide emergency or essential services, such as police, fire services, and offices that provide frontline services to the public,” Marcos said in Filipino in a message released on Friday (6/3) and reported by Filipino media The Inquirer, as cited by detikNews.
“In addition, I am directing all government agencies to conserve and reduce electricity and fuel expenditures by 10 to 20 percent,” he added.
For now, Marcos also banned non-essential government travel and activities, such as meetings that can be done in the office.
The arrangement will remain in effect “until revoked or cancelled earlier by the president,” Marcos said.
“For this purpose, all agencies are hereby directed to formulate internal guidelines to ensure proper monitoring and documentation, including attendance verification, performance standards, and monitoring mechanisms, in accordance with laws, regulations, and applicable provisions,” the circular text said, released by the Philippine government.
Marcos reminded that the closure of strategic routes through the Hormuz Strait could directly affect local fuel prices. It is even projected that gasoline prices will rise by 7.48 pesos per litre, diesel by 17.28 pesos, and kerosene by up to 32.35 pesos starting next week.
“We are victims of a war that is not of our choosing,” Marcos said in a statement, cited by AFP. “But we are the ones who control how we will protect the Filipino people,” he added.