Solons push 4-day work week, shorter mall hours
07/08/2008 | 02:00 PM
MANILA, Philippines - To contribute in energy conservation efforts in the country, several congressmen on Tuesday proposed the adoption of a four-day work-week and imposing a limit on mall hours to reduce energy consumption.
In a statement posted on the House of Representatives website, House Energy Committee member and Bulacan Rep. Reylina Nicolas said the four-day workweek should be seriously considered amid plans by oil companies to raise the prices of petroleum products by P10 next month.
"Since we don't have control over the soaring pump prices, the practicable thing to do is to conserve electricity and fuel. I believe the four-day workweek proposal covering government offices and agencies will drastically cut on our use of electricity and fuel, aside from saving us a lot of money on bills," Nicolas said, adding that economic analysts have warned that diesel prices may amount to P72.43 per liter before the year ends.
Nicolas, however, clarified that workers in protective and medical services should be exempted from the proposed scheme to ensure their continuous service to the public.
For his part, Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro urged other congressmen to adopt his authored bill House Resolution No. 629 imposing a 4-day workweek scheme to conserve power in government institutions.
Teodoro said the scheme will require government employees to work up to 10 hours a day for a period of 4 days in a week.
"Employees would still be working for the same 40-hours per week – the work duration per week required of those in government service," Teodoro said.
Bohol Rep. Adam Relson Jala expressed support for the scheme, adding that the government will save more if private establishments follow suit.
“The public should understand that everyone has a responsibility to help the nation during these hard times," said Jala, who is also the vice chairman of the House Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV
In a statement posted on the House of Representatives website, House Energy Committee member and Bulacan Rep. Reylina Nicolas said the four-day workweek should be seriously considered amid plans by oil companies to raise the prices of petroleum products by P10 next month.
"Since we don't have control over the soaring pump prices, the practicable thing to do is to conserve electricity and fuel. I believe the four-day workweek proposal covering government offices and agencies will drastically cut on our use of electricity and fuel, aside from saving us a lot of money on bills," Nicolas said, adding that economic analysts have warned that diesel prices may amount to P72.43 per liter before the year ends.
Nicolas, however, clarified that workers in protective and medical services should be exempted from the proposed scheme to ensure their continuous service to the public.
For his part, Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro urged other congressmen to adopt his authored bill House Resolution No. 629 imposing a 4-day workweek scheme to conserve power in government institutions.
Teodoro said the scheme will require government employees to work up to 10 hours a day for a period of 4 days in a week.
"Employees would still be working for the same 40-hours per week – the work duration per week required of those in government service," Teodoro said.
Bohol Rep. Adam Relson Jala expressed support for the scheme, adding that the government will save more if private establishments follow suit.
“The public should understand that everyone has a responsibility to help the nation during these hard times," said Jala, who is also the vice chairman of the House Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV
