Energy-saving 4-day workweek eyed

National

WITH the escalating conflict in the Middle East driving up fuel prices, the government is open to implementing a four-day workweek to conserve energy.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Marcos may consider the measure to cushion the impact of the soaring oil prices.

“Right now, the President is considering such suggestion especially if the Israel-Iran issue gets worse,” Castro said in a Philstar report.

Castro clarified that the proposed work scheme has yet to be tackled at Malacañang.

A suggestion was made by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalina that some companies should carry out a four-day workweek or work-from-home arrangements to help save energy.

Marcos has also directed national government offices to conserve energy and encouraged local government units and the general public to adopt similar energy-saving measures.

Acting on the Marcos’ direction, the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee has issued an advisory outlining measures to save energy amid the Middle East crisis.

National government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and local government units were advised to reduce fuel consumption by at least 10 percent.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has also called on manufacturers of basic goods to maintain their prices with further hikes in fuel expected in the coming days.(MyTVCebu)