The local government here has established its energy conservation protocol, adopting a four-day work week and an alternative/flexible work arrangement to conserve electricity and fuel.

Mayor Raisa Treñas signed Executive Order No.30 on Monday, establishing the protocol which takes effect immediately.

“The order supports national directives on energy conservation amid rising fuel costs and global geopolitical tensions, while ensuring that the delivery of government services in Iloilo City remains efficient and uninterrupted,” Treñas said.

According to the protocol, city government employees will work onsite from Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Fridays, they will focus on community engagement, fieldwork, or adopt flexible work arrangements.

Treñas said the energy-saving measures include regulating air-conditioning use, reducing electricity consumption during lunch breaks, encouraging virtual meetings, and optimizing the use of government vehicles.

The strict adoption of an integrated fleet management for city government-owned vehicles is also ordered.

However, essential offices delivering health, social welfare, public safety, transportation, disaster response, and key frontline services, like the offices of the city treasurer, local economic enterprise, and business permits and licensing office, shall continue with their operations under the usual work arrangement.

“Each office/unit/ work station shall designate an ‘Energy Efficiency and Conservation Officer’ to ensure full compliance with the energy conservation measures,” the EO said.

Meanwhile, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the provincial government will cooperate with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“We are considering it, but it’s very difficult for the province to have a four-day work week,” he said in a media interview, adding that five days is not even enough since they still have their social obligations.

He added that the provincial community defense action cluster met last week and discussed, among others, the four-day work week scheme.

Defensor said that they will release as soon as possible the energy conservation measures that will be implemented at the Capitol.

He added that it’s already in a memorandum circular, but the provincial government will just add more. (PNA)