The local chief executive here on Friday said he is open to the recommendation of a four-day workweek amid the prevailing oil price hikes in the country.
In an online briefer, Mayor Oscar Moreno said the city government is ready to implement the proposal if approved by the national government.
“If that is with the legal effect, of course, we will implement that,” he said.
Moreno’s remark was in response to the proposal of National Economic Development Authority Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua on Tuesday for a four-day workweek scheme to conserve energy and alleviate work-related expenses amid the series of fuel price hikes.
However, the local chief executive emphasized the need for “extra analysis” on the four-day workweek arrangement, saying it would affect the employees’ productivity.
“It’s very simple: you work less, your productivity is also lessened. I am okay with that for as long as it will not affect the productivity in our country,” he said.
Moreno, a banker by profession, underscored the importance of high productivity in helping the nation’s economy to bounce back from the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“I am very worried that it might lower, it might slacken and weaken our productivity. The increased productivity is very important in our workforce which is very important in rebounding the economy,” he explained.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is expected to announce on March 21 his decision on the proposal to adopt a four-day workweek schedule.
On March 15, oil companies had increased pump prices for the 11th straight week.
Prices of diesel went up by PHP13.15 per liter and gasoline by PHP 7.10 per liter. Kerosene prices also rose by PHP 10.50 per liter.
However, the Department of Energy said on Friday that prices of diesel and gasoline are expected to decrease by PHP12 and PHP6 per liter, respectively, next week.
Source: Philippines News Agency
