The city government will implement a four-day compressed workweek for most offices starting Nov. 3 as part of its energy conservation measures in anticipation of the effects of El Niño.
Mayor Alfred Romualdez issued Memorandum Order No. 2026-10-435, dated Oct. 27, directing city government offices to operate from Monday to Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with Friday designated as a non-working day.
The measure covers all city government departments, offices, and employees, including permanent, casual, contract-of-service, and job-order workers.
The policy intends to reduce electricity and fuel consumption while ensuring the continued delivery of essential public services amid the anticipated extreme heat, reduced water supply, and increased energy demand associated with El Niño.
The memorandum also directs offices to keep air-conditioning units at 24°C, activate sleep settings on computers and other equipment when not in use, and switch off nonessential lights and electronic devices during lunch breaks and after office hours.
City offices must improve government vehicle fuel efficiency by consolidating trips, optimizing routes, reducing engine idling, and performing preventive maintenance. Offices adopting the four-day workweek will receive a 20% fuel reduction, unless an increase is justified and approved by the local chief executive.
However, essential services will continue operating according to their regular schedules or appropriate shifting arrangements. These include personnel at the Tacloban City Hospital and district health centers, the Tacloban City Rescue Unit, security personnel, market and sanitation workers, slaughterhouse personnel, traffic enforcers, and other frontline workers.
The Business One-Stop-Shop (BOSS) will remain open every Friday to receive and process documents. Seventeen frontline offices will extend their services at the BOSS building to accommodate transactions during the non-working day at other city government offices.
The memorandum also temporarily suspends flexible work arrangements inconsistent with the new guidelines. Overtime work on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and scheduled days off will generally not be allowed unless specifically directed or approved by the mayor.
Official travel for training, seminars, conferences, and similar activities is also discouraged and will require prior approval, except when deemed necessary or unavoidable.
The order takes effect on Nov. 3 and will remain in force until amended or revoked.
The move comes as local governments prepare for the potential impacts of El Niño, which can bring prolonged dry conditions, water shortages, and higher electricity demand. Tacloban has been exploring measures to conserve water and identify alternative sources as part of its preparations for the anticipated dry spell. INQPhoto Caption: Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez signs Memorandum Order No. 2026-10-435, directing city government offices to adopt a four-day compressed workweek and implement energy conservation measures starting Nov. 3 in anticipation of El Niño’s effects. (Tacloban City Information Office).