Manila: Not all public sector jobs can shift to work-from-home or other alternative arrangements, especially during calamities, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said Friday. While agencies are authorized to adopt flexible work arrangements such as work-from-home, satellite office reporting, or working from another fixed location, the nature of certain government functions necessitates continued physical presence in the workplace.

According to Philippines News Agency, CSC Assistant Commissioner Ariel Ronquillo explained in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview that although all government agencies are technically covered by the flexible work arrangement policy, there are jobs that by their very nature cannot be performed remotely. This policy caveat covers employees whose primary duties involve on-the-ground operations such as disaster response, transportation, and logistics.

Ronquillo noted that public sector drivers, medical responders, and relief distribution personnel are expected to be physically present where their services are urgently needed, particularly during natural disasters like floods and typhoons. Certain tasks, such as handling of physical documents, records management, and maintenance work, also require presence within government premises.

The CSC reiterated that flexible work arrangements are not an employee's right but a privilege subject to the agency's discretion. Agencies are required to issue an official office order outlining the scope, duration, and deliverables of remote work arrangements.

Ronquillo emphasized that working from home should be treated as work and not a vacation. Employees must remain accessible and able to respond anytime their services are needed. While these setups aim to protect personnel from hazards during emergencies, uninterrupted delivery of government services remains a priority.

Concerned government employees are expected to be accessible and productive, and agencies are tasked with monitoring compliance and ensuring that performance targets are met regardless of work arrangement. Ronquillo encouraged government agencies to adopt flexible yet responsible work policies to balance employee safety with the needs of the public amid natural disasters.