Bacolod, Bago restore 5-day workweek

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The city governments of Bacolod and Bago in Negros Occidental are the latest local government units to resume their regular five-day workweek while still adhering to energy conservation measures.

Mayor Greg Gasataya announced Monday that he had ordered the return of the regular five-day workweek for Bacolod City employees due to improving economic conditions, including the stabilization of fuel prices and transportation costs.

Gasataya said he discussed the measure with Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesus Victor Remulla during Remulla’s visit to the city Saturday for the opening of the National Private Schools Athletic Association Games.

Gasataya said the move aims to improve public service efficiency and ensure better coordination of government responses as the city continues its recovery while observing austerity measures, particularly on energy conservation.

The mayor directed all department heads to ensure a smooth transition from the four-day workweek back to the regular five-day schedule while maintaining uninterrupted public services.

The city government implemented the four-day workweek on March 9, following the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to help conserve energy and reduce fuel consumption amid rising global oil prices caused by conflicts in the Middle East.

Gasataya also emphasized the continued implementation of low-cost energy efficiency and conservation measures, noting that the city’s efforts earned a five-star rating from the Department of Energy under the Government Energy Management Program, with 98% compliance during a random inspection at the Bacolod City Government Center on April 15.

Meanwhile, Bago City also resumed its regular work schedule beginning Monday, May 11, while maintaining strict energy conservation protocols in all government offices and operations.

Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao issued Executive Order No. 27, series of 2026, on Sunday, lifting the implementation of the compressed four-day workweek in the city to enhance accessibility of services, improve interoffice coordination, and better respond to public demand while sustaining the city’s strict energy conservation protocols.

Yao said all covered offices shall report to work from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in accordance with applicable Civil Service Commission rules and regulations on the 40-hour workweek, exclusive of lunch break.

The executive order stated that the lifting pertains only to the work schedule arrangement under Executive Order No. 13, series of 2026, which adopted and implemented strict energy conservation protocols in all city government offices and operations and implemented a compressed four-day workweek effective March 16.

“It does not repeal or weaken the energy conservation protocols and fuel austerity measures thereunder, which shall remain in full force and effect unless subsequently amended or revoked,” it added.

The enforcement of energy conservation protocols and fuel austerity measures includes electricity management, turning off nonessential lights and equipment, enabling energy-saving settings, virtual meetings as the default where feasible, limitation of official travel, and fleet-efficiency measures.

This follows the resumption of regular work schedules in government offices in Toboso and Silay City starting May 11.