Cebu shifts to four-day workweek

"Under our existing department advisories and the implementing rules of the Telecommuting Law, the adoption of flexible or alternative work arrangements depends on the mutual agreement of employers and workers," Curada said, adding that DOLE is not imposing the four-day work week on private companies.

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"What the Department of Labor and Employment is saying is that we encourage companies to cooperate with the President's call to adopt flexible or alternative work arrangements, or telecommuting if the nature of the job allows it," he said.

CAPITOL ADOPTS NATIONAL DIRECTIVE

The Cebu Provincial Government will implement a four-day workweek after Governor Pamela Baricuatro signed Executive Order No. 16, Series of 2026 on Monday adopting the measure alongside energy-saving initiatives in the province.

"We agreed that for now, because of energy conservation, maayo gud na mag four-day workweek," she said.

Under the order, Capitol employees will report to work from Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., beginning this week.

"The Province of Cebu supports and encourages the adoption of energy conservation measures and flexible work arrangements in government offices in order to reduce energy consumption, improve operational efficiency, and promote environmentally responsible governance," a portion in the EO read.

The move is part of the provincial government's effort to reduce energy consumption amid concerns over rising fuel costs.

Baricuatro also encouraged the 53 cities and municipalities in Cebu Province to consider adopting the same arrangement. "We are encouraging the component cities and municipalities to adopt similar measures," said the governor.