• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
More local government units (LGUs) and government agencies in Negros Island Region are adopting the four-day compressed work week as part of the energy conservation measures amid the heightening conflict in the Middle East.
The temporary schedule of the cities of Cadiz, Kabankalan, and Bacolod will take effect March 16, with varied working hours, from Monday to Thursday.
Government workers are required to render duty 40 hours a week.
However, essential frontline offices services have to remain operational to ensure unhampered delivery of basic services.
The provincial government of Negros Oriental as well as the cities of Escalante, Silay and Sipalay, municipalities of Ilog and Murcia in Negros Occidental started to adopt the four-day week on March 9 and 10.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental will implement its four-day workweek on March 16, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday to Friday.
The Department of Agrarian Reform in Negros Occidental advised the public to conduct their business and transactions from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Thursday.
Meanwhile, Negros Oriental Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria issued an executive order, reconstituting the Provincial Price Coordinating Council to prescribe measures and institute the necessary mechanism to ensure the protection of consumers against undue price increases during emergency and similar situations as well as assure adequate supply, distribution and marketing of goods.
Malacañang on Monday urged the public to refrain from panic buying despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East, assuring them that supplies of fuel and basic commodities remain sufficient.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said government monitoring shows no unusual price movements in essential goods in Metro Manila and other regions.
Castro also advised the public to immediately report any abnormal price increases to the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Energy.
She noted that fuel prices are expected to increase starting Tuesday due to global developments, but oil firms have committed to implementing the adjustment on a staggered basis.
Despite uncertainties caused by continued tensions in the Middle East, Castro said the government is urging the public to prepare but not resort to panic buying. | GB with PNA reports
