• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod is asking Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez to consider a four-day work week office for Bacolod City government employees until July 31, due to the high heat index.
The SP, during its regular session this afternoon, May 3, approved the proposed resolution of Councilor Claudio Jesus “Kalaw” Puentevella on the compressed work days, Mondays to Thursdays.
Puentevella, chairperson of the SP Committee on Environment and Ecology, said the proposal does not include personnel from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Health Office, City Diagnostic Laboratory, City Engineer’s Office, Department of Social-Services and Development, Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, and the Department of Public Services.
The sweltering heat due to El Niño has been affecting the Philippines since March, with Bacolod City and Negros Occidental among most areas experiencing dangerous levels of heat indices, from 42 to 51 degrees Celsius.
Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely, and heatstroke is probable with continued exposure, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.
“El Niño continues to weaken but impacts of hotter and drier conditions will continue” in the second quarter of this year, as per the weather bureau forecast.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) allows for a compressed workweek for government employees under Memorandum Circular 06-2022, or a work arrangement where the 40 hours workweek for five days is compressed to four days or less, as may be applicable, provided that public service delivery shall not be prejudiced.
The four-day workweek is one of the six flexible work arrangements (FWAs) listed by the CSC in the memorandum dated June 6, 2022, to ensure protection of government employees’ health, safety, and welfare.
The others are flexiplace, including work from home, work from satellite office, and work from another fixed place; skeleton workforce; work shifting; flexitime; or a combination of flexible work arrangements.
Government agencies and local government units, however, are reminded to ensure that all their stakeholders are assured of continuous public service delivery from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including lunch break, throughout the workweek, the CSC stressed. | CGC
