President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Monday that he is studying the Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) recommendation to shift government working hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We’re studying it. If it works, we’ll do it,” Marcos told reporters in a chance interview.

Last Thursday, 16 January, the MMDA said it would recommend to the President that national government agencies adopt the 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. work hours instead of the current 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. setup to help ease traffic in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The MMDA consulted with members of the Metro Manila Council, which is composed of Metro Manila mayors.

According to the MMDA, the study was conducted by its Assistant General for Planning office and Traffic Engineering Center. The agency added that the modified work schedule has been practiced by itself as well as local government units within Metro Manila.

This proposal also coincides with the planned rehabilitation of EDSA, which is slated to begin later this year.

While Marcos is open to the idea, he said the commuting public must be consulted before implementing such a policy.

“It’s not enough to talk to the traffic enforcers and the administrators of traffic who made the suggestion. We also have to ask the commuting public if this is practical for them,” he said.

“So, if it turns out that everyone agrees to it, then I cannot see why it will be a problem,” he added.