Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday assured the public of the continuous delivery of services and assistance amid the four-day work week that is now being implemented in all government agencies in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Office of the President released Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 114 on March 6, directing all government agencies and instrumentalities to strictly adopt energy conservation protocols, including the adoption of flexible work arrangements. DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao reiterated that the department's programs and services would not be delayed, despite the transition to flexible work schedules.
In response to MC No. 114, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian issued a memorandum to implement the compressed work week (CWW) arrangements within the Central Office and its Field Offices nationwide. Gatchalian emphasized the importance of balancing national conservation mandates with the department's commitment to providing uninterrupted social protection services.
The CWW arrangement involves compressing the standard 40-hour workweek into four days, requiring DSWD personnel to work 10 hours per day. Despite the new schedule, essential DSWD frontline programs and services will remain operational throughout the week. This includes the Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC), Crisis Intervention Program/Units, Pag-abot Program, Minors Traveling Abroad services, Walang Gutom Program, and all centers and residential care facilities.
Moreover, staff involved with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) at the provincial, city, and municipal levels are exempted from the four-day work week. In the event of disasters, personnel from the Disaster Response Management Group will be on standby for onsite operations.
Dumlao emphasized that all offices providing immediate assistance will continue to operate five days a week, ensuring that essential services, such as weather monitoring, processing of aid, and care facilities, remain unaffected by the new work schedule.
