MANILA — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has formally proposed the adoption of a four‑day workweek for government and private sector employees as a way to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East. The idea, he said, would help workers save on transportation costs while reducing overall energy consumption.
Gatchalian said the compressed workweek could include one work‑from‑home day, building on existing flexible work arrangements already allowed under the Civil Service Commission’s 2022 memorandum. “This is a practical, immediate way to help Filipino workers cope with fuel price shocks,” he said in a statement.
As of this week, no bill has yet been formally filed, though Gatchalian has publicly floated the proposal and is preparing draft language for submission. His office said the measure is being refined to ensure compatibility with labor laws and sector‑specific needs.
Proposal Tied to Middle East Conflict and Energy Conservation
The senator’s call comes as global oil markets react to the worsening conflict between Israel and Iran, which has raised fears of supply disruptions. Gatchalian said the Philippines must “get ahead of the economic shock” by reducing fuel consumption where possible.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier directed all government agencies to find ways to conserve energy, urging both officials and the public to reduce unnecessary travel, carpool, and use public transportation. “Let’s find ways to reduce our use of all sources of energy,” Marcos said this week.
The Inter‑Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee has also advised government offices to cut fuel consumption by at least 10 percent as a precautionary measure. This aligns with Gatchalian’s argument that a compressed workweek would “significantly reduce fuel use across the workforce.”
Palace: Marcos Open to Studying the 4‑Day Workweek
Malacañang said President Marcos is open to studying the proposal, though the Cabinet has not formally discussed it. Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President may consider the idea “especially if the Israel‑Iran issue worsens.”
“Sa ngayon po ay maaaring pag‑aralan po ng Pangulo ang ganyang suhestiyon lalo na kung magiging malala pa po ang nangyayaring Israel‑Iran issue,” Castro said. “Sa ngayon po ay hindi pa po ito napag‑uusapan.” (For now, the President may study the suggestion, especially if the Israel‑Iran issue worsens. At present, it has not yet been discussed.)
The Palace emphasized that the proposal remains under consideration and that any decision would require coordination with labor groups, employers, and government agencies. Officials noted that flexible work arrangements are already permitted under existing regulations, giving the administration room to explore adjustments without immediate legislation.
Private Sector and Government Agencies Already Have Flexibility
Under the Telecommuting Act of 2018, private companies may adopt alternative work setups, including hybrid or remote arrangements. Gatchalian said this legal framework makes it easier for the private sector to shift to a four‑day workweek if fuel prices continue to rise.
Government offices, meanwhile, can implement compressed schedules under Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 6 (2022), which authorizes agencies to adopt flexible work arrangements. It means the executive branch could pilot a four‑day workweek even without new legislation.
Labor groups have not yet issued formal statements on the proposal, though analysts say the measure could face sector‑specific challenges, particularly in manufacturing, retail, and services. Still, Gatchalian maintains that the idea is “worth serious consideration” given the economic pressures facing Filipino workers.
However, major business and industry groups have already expressed caution, urging the government to study the economic impact carefully. The strongest early reactions come from employers’ groups, not unions, and they highlight concerns about uneven effects across sectors.
