QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in a video message on Youtube Sunday, suggested that using alternative work arrangements can help reduce traffic issues in Metro Manila.

"Some companies have adopted this system that has been effective for the nature, attitude, and style of their work. As long as there is a strong internet in their house, they can produce their output," the President said in his vlog, noting that traffic is one of the "perennial and notorious problems" of our country.

(May mga kompanya na inadopt na talaga ang sistemang ito na naging epektibo para sa nature, ugali, style na kanilang trabaho. Basta’t may malakas na internet na nasa kanilang bahay, nagagawa na rin nila yung kanilang output.)

On the other hand, the President also noted that during the height of the recent COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, solutions and innovations were adopted in the workplace, one of which is the "work-from-home arrangement."

"Many countries, especially in Europe, are doing this. There are others (offices) that adjust their work time to avoid rush hour.”

(Marami ng bansa, lalo na sa Europe ang gumagawa nito. May iba naman na para makaiwas sa traffic ay inaadjust nila ang oras nang pagpasok at paguwi ng kanilang mga empleyado para hindi kasabay ng tinatawag na rush hour.)

The Philippine Civil Service Commission (CSC) has also recognized that traditional rigid office settings are prone to disruptions and hinder productivity. 

Civil Service Chairperson Karlo Nograles also said that the adoption of Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) can enhance the employees' efficiency, as well as safeguard their health, safety, and welfare.  

Nograles also cited that the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro Manila has the largest number of government workers in the country, with 440,009 or 22.30 percent of career and non-career personnel.

In February of this year, the CSC issued an advisory expressing its full support for the current initiative of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to improve the traffic situation in Metro Manila.

Following FWAs under CSC MC No. 06, 2022, government agencies may adopt any of the following:

A. Flexiplace – refers to an output-oriented work arrangement that authorizes government officials or employees to render service at a location away from their office, either in the home/residence of the official or employee, agency satellite office, or another fixed place, on a temporary basis duly approved by the head of office/agency.

Flexiplace work arrangements have three (3) types, namely:

1. Work from home (WFH) – is a work arrangement where the government officials or employees work at home or their residence;

2. Work from satellite office – is a work arrangement where the government officials or employees, instead of reporting to their office, report for work at their agency satellite office near their place of residence (e.g., central/other regional office/field office); and

3. Work from another fixed place – is a work arrangement where the government officials and employees render service within the Philippines, at a place conducive for productive work and efficient performance of official duties and responsibilities, other than their home or residence and satellite office.

B.  Compressed Workweek – refers to a work arrangement whereby the forty (40) hours workweek for five (5) days of the government officials or employees is compressed to four (4) days or less, as may be applicable.

C. Skeleton Workforce – refers to a work arrangement where a minimum number of government officials or employees is required to man the office to render service when full staffing is not possible.

D. Work shifting – refers to a work arrangement applicable to offices/agencies mandated by law to operate 24-hour continuous service delivery on a daily basis, or to agencies required to observe workplace health and safety protocols. This is also applicable to occupational groups that provide security and safety to agency personnel and/or property.

E. Flexitime – refers to a work arrangement where the agency is allowed to adopt flexible time for its government officials and employees from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on a daily basis, provided that the required forty (40) hours workweek is complied with.

F. Combination of Flexible Work Arrangements – refers to a work arrangement whereby the agency may adopt a combination of any of the above-mentioned flexible work arrangements appropriate or applicable to the mandate/functions of the agency.

The CSC however, reminded agencies to ensure that all their stakeholders are assured of continuous public service delivery from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, including lunch break, throughout the workweek.

Likewise, government agencies shall also formulate internal guidelines on FWA, which include the tasks allowed to be accomplished outside the office, health, and communication protocols, performance standards and monitoring mechanisms, and the provision of support mechanisms. (JEG/PIA-NCR)