|
Malacañang said it is studying a proposal to implement a four-day
work week in government offices to save fuel and electricity in the
light of increasing petroleum prices in the world market.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the
four-day work week proposal needs careful study to ensure that it
will not negatively affect the economy.
“But before we make any decision either way,
the proposal needs careful study to ensure that it will not
negatively affect the economy,” he said.
One legislator said the four-day work week could
result in big savings in power and fuel costs for government offices
once it is implemented.
The proposal does not cover city and municipal
halls that carry out daily transactions. The proposal also calls for
earlier opening and closing times for government, business and
commercial establishments to save electricity.
Some 2.7 million out of the country’s 33.7
million strong labor force work for the government or state
corporations, according to the National Statistics Office.
Among other related proposals, Ermita said
switching the government’s vehicle fleet to diesel-fueled vehicles
from gasoline-fed would save P1.44 billion a year in fuel costs.
A government task force formed by the Palace to
craft an action plan to mitigate high fuel costs would discuss
specific proposals at their next meeting on Monday, he added.
-- Angelo S. Samonte
|
