Cavite provincial government shifts to 4-day workweek
The provincial government offices in Cavite will adopt a four-day work week schedule to protect their employees and officials from the prevailing extreme heat.
Gov. Juanito Victor Remulla, in his Executive Order (EO) No. 19 issued on Friday, said the “compressed workweek” would start on Monday and would end on July 31.
Remulla said offices of the provincial government shall observe a 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. work schedule from Monday to Thursday.
Under the “compressed workweek” arrangement, 40 hours workweek for five days of the government officials or employees is compressed to four days or less, EO 19 explained.
Remulla noted that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has recorded “extremely high temperatures in the country, including the Province of Cavite, during the current dry season, exacerbated by the El Niño (weather phenomenon), and has projected even higher temperatures that may reach extreme danger levels in the coming months.”
“Reducing the exposure to extreme heat may mitigate its harmful effects on the individuals transacting with the provincial government, as well as on the health and productivity of its employees and officials,” the governor said.
Exemptions
However, Remulla said the compressed workweek would not apply to the Provincial Health Officer; all hospitals surpervised by the province; the provincial jail; Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office; Cavite Office of Public Safety; Road Safety Division; Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office.
He said the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 6, s. 2022, provides for the policies on flexible work arrangements in the government and allows for the implementation of compressed workweek in government offices.
Based on Pagasa’s ongoing monitoring of the discomfort index or heat index, there is a possibility that some areas in the country will experience levels of extreme danger, which is 52 degrees Celsius or higher.
With the extreme heat level, heatstroke is imminent or probable for people who are directly exposed to sunlight and urged the public to take all safety precautions. —DELFIN T. MALLARI JR. INQ
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