Article by:
Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA — The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has adopted a temporary hybrid work arrangement as part of the government’s efforts to reduce electricity and fuel consumption pursuant to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s energy conservation directive.
In a memorandum signed on March 8, PCO acting Secretary Dave Gomez ordered all PCO personnel to observe a four-day onsite and one-day work-from-home (WFH) setup each week, except for output-based Contract of Service personnel.
The hybrid work arrangement, issued pursuant to Memorandum Circular 114 dated March 6, directs government agencies and instrumentalities to ensure the strict implementation of energy conservation protocols.
Under the new scheme, employees will report onsite from Monday to Thursday and work remotely every Friday.
Personnel may choose from staggered work schedules starting from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., with corresponding eight-hour shifts.
“Personnel who arrive after 9:30 a.m. shall be considered late. On the other hand, Fridays shall be designated as the common Work from Home day,” the memorandum read.
The memorandum also provides that employees who complete the required 40-hour workweek covering the four onsite days and one WFH day may render overtime services, subject to existing rules and approval of authorized officials.
However, services rendered for less than two hours beyond regular working hours will not be considered overtime.
Overtime at the New Executive Building at Malacañang compound will not be allowed from Friday to Sunday and during holidays, according to the memorandum.
“Employees working remotely shall remain accessible during official working hours and shall comply with applicable reporting requirements,” it said.
To support the energy-saving initiative, the PCO will implement strict energy conservation measures at NEB, including switching on office lights only at 7 a.m. and turning them off at 7 p.m., and operating air-conditioning units within the same hours with a standard thermostat setting of 24 degrees Celsius.
Office equipment such as computers, laptops, and photocopying machines must also be set to sleep or energy-saving mode when not in use, while non-essential lights and equipment must be turned off during the lunch break from noon to 1 p.m. and after office hours.
PCO officials and supervisors have been directed to submit monthly work programs to guide personnel tasks during WFH days, while attendance will be monitored through a digital system managed by the office’s Information and Communications Technology Division.
The temporary hybrid work arrangement will remain in effect for the duration of the President’s directive under Memorandum Circular 114, or until it is lifted or modified. (PNA)
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