The situation, in brief
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso has announced that the city government will adopt a four-day work week with extended hours for city offices, except for essential and frontline agencies. In his “Talk to the People” public broadcast on Monday, March 9, Domagoso said the city is…
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso has announced that the city government will adopt a four-day work week with extended hours for city offices, except for essential and frontline agencies.
In his “Talk to the People” public broadcast on Monday, March 9, Domagoso said the city is aligning with national energy conservation measures amid rising global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.
The Mayor said he signed Executive Order No. 8, Series of 2026, instituting a condensed work schedule for departments, offices, bureaus, boards, and instrumentalities of the Manila city government.
Under the order, city government offices will operate four days a week from Monday to Thursday, with extended working hours such as 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., while regular office operations will be suspended on Fridays except for agencies providing essential services.
The Mayor said the policy was issued in response to Memorandum Circular No. 114 signed on March 6 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directing government agencies to adopt energy conservation protocols amid geopolitical tensions affecting global fuel markets.
“This is our way of responding to the call of the President and the needs of the moment given the situation brought about by the Middle East conflict,” Domagoso said.
The Mayor said the arrangement aims to reduce fuel consumption, lower operational costs and ease traffic congestion, while maintaining the delivery of essential public services.
His executive order, however, clarified that essential and frontline services will remain operational, including emergency response units, health services, sanitation operations, public markets, and utilities such as water pumping stations.
These offices will implement rotational schedules and staffing arrangements to ensure uninterrupted services despite the compressed work week, Domagoso’s order said.
The Mayor also encouraged private businesses, barangay officials, and households to consider adopting similar energy-saving measures as the country responds to rising fuel costs and global uncertainty.
“Napakahirap ng sitwasyon sa mundo ngayon, kaya kailangan nating magtulungan at magkaisa,” the Mayor said, urging Manila residents to support efforts aimed at conserving resources while maintaining productivity.
