Civil Service Commissioner Aileen Lourdes Abella Lizada —Photo by Cathy Miranda | INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Should government operations be the ones to make adjustments just because of the notorious traffic situation in Metro Manila?

Commissioner Aileen Lizada of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) posed this question in the wake of a recent proposal from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to change the office hours of all government offices in the capital region in anticipation of major roadworks on Edsa this year.

Article continues after this advertisement

“MMDA sees the situation [through] their lens: traffic. However, for the CSC, we must look at the effects of these (changes) as [they involve] the transacting public,” Lizada told reporters in a Viber message on Tuesday.

free spins on sign upFEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Baguio gov’t steps in to help locked-out John Hay residents NEWSINFO DILG on wanted ex-BuCor chief Bantag: We will find him soon NEWSINFO House quad committee to Dela Rosa: Don’t hide behind media

READ: MMDA eyes ‘7-to-4’ work sked in gov’t offices

She stressed the government’s obligation to ensure the timely completion of transactions, processing of applications or release of requested documents under Republic Act No. 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.

Article continues after this advertisement

“[Will] government offices, with frontline services, stop [their] operations to address the traffic concern? What is now the priority of the government agencies—the transacting public or traffic?” the official said, adding:

Article continues after this advertisement

“These are valid questions that need to be addressed. While the intention is good, this must be studied thoroughly.”

Article continues after this advertisement For recommendation Lizada earlier served as a transport official and spokesperson of the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board during the Duterte administration. She shared her views a week after the MMDA said it would recommend to President Marcos a new government work schedule—from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.—to replace the 8-to-5 shift. MMDA Chair Don Artes then said that the one-hour adjustment would “surely help in terms of public transport” as it would factor in the nearly half-a-million government workers in the metropolis. The latest data from the CSC showed that there are currently 2.04 million career and noncareer public sector employees nationwide, with 22 percent of them based in Metro Manila.

Asked about the MMDA proposal on Monday, President Marcos said he was open to studying it further, telling reporters that “If it works, we’ll do it.”

Versatile options

But Lizada said the CSC had already come up with versatile work options for government workers, such as the “compressed” four-day work week, work-from-home arrangements, and the setup of satellite offices.

Article continues after this advertisement

In its Memorandum Circular No. 6 issued in June 2022, when the country was still coping with the pandemic, the commission outlined the policies allowing “flexible working arrangements.”

The “Flexiplace” option, for example, lets the staff work at a location outside their office. A “skeleton” workforce was also allowed when a complete lineup was not possible. The CSC also permitted a compressed work schedule wherein the 40-hour workweek may be rendered in just four days, instead of the regular five. “Flexitime” allows workers to [choose] their schedule as long as it does not start earlier than 7 a.m. and end later than 7 p.m.

Under the memo, the agencies should still ensure that frontline services remain available to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

The National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents the employees, is negotiating a new contract with the Oakland-based health giant. It said the strikers demand Kaiser hire more people to ease the burden put on the current staff.

Preliminary data from the BSP showed that net income rose to P95.2 billion as of end-July337jili, up by 414 percent from the P18.5 billion in the same period last year.

READ NEXT More budget readjustments: Now it’s for PNP 4 cops in 2011 shooting fired for abusing power EDITORS' PICK Bong Revilla, Imee Marcos clarify stance on anti-teen pregnancy bill House bill pushes ‘rondalla’ training program for music teachers Gatchalian, Villanueva assert: No blank items in 2025 budget Trump 2.0 starts with big immigration crackdown Trump decrees end of diversity programs, LGBTQ protections MOST READ Baguio gov’t steps in to help locked-out John Hay residents Coffins fall onto NLEX near Pulilan Exit, causing minor delay in traffic CSC exec: Not so fast on new gov’t work sked Chinese Navy watches PH-US joint drills in WPS Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments