MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced the temporary implementation of a four-day workweek for executive branch offices beginning Monday, March 9, 2026. The measure is a direct response to the global oil price surge and energy supply disruptions caused by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
- Effective Date: Monday, March 9, 2026.
- Coverage: Selected offices under the Executive Branch.
- Exemptions: Offices providing emergency or essential services are excluded, including:
- Philippine National Police (PNP)
- Firefighters (BFP)
- Frontline health and service providers.
- Duration: The arrangement under Memorandum Circular No. 114 will remain in effect until lifted or revoked by the President.
In addition to the shortened workweek, the President issued several directives to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs:
- Consumption Reduction: All government agencies are ordered to reduce their electricity and fuel consumption by 10% to 20%.
- Travel Restrictions: Unnecessary government travel and external activities are prohibited. Meetings are encouraged to be held within office premises or virtually.
- Monitoring: Agencies must formulate internal guidelines to monitor attendance and maintain performance standards in accordance with Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules.
The move comes as industry experts warn of a potential ₱20 per liter hike in diesel prices next week. President Marcos held a special cabinet meeting earlier this week to discuss the repatriation of Filipinos in the Middle East and the broader impact of the war on Philippine inflation and economic stability.
“Starting Monday, March 9, we will temporarily implement a four-day workweek… This is to save and reduce electricity consumption and petroleum expenses,” the President stated in a message on Friday night.