The proposal of changing work hours in government offices in the National Capital Region to help ease traffic would need to be studied further, according to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes.

Last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the proposal to shift government work hours in Metro Manila from 8 AM to 5 PM to 7 AM to 4 PM. However, Marcos said this should only be implemented if the commuting public has expressed their approval.

On Tuesday, the President met with Artes, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla, and Economic Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan to discuss the Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan (CTMP).

During the meeting, Artes presented the results of some of the local government units (LGU) having “7 to 4” work arrangements.

“We showed [to the President] the benefits, although it is limited within the area of ​​the city halls, and we preliminarily endorsed everything, but, again, we said that a thorough study and consultation with the different agencies and departments was still needed,” Artes said in a Palace briefing.

He added that the MMDA is in the process of gathering data and responses from government employees as well as the public that have transactions in the government offices.

Artes is looking to have the new government office schedule be implemented later this year.

“If data will show that there is a substantial improvement in traffic particularly in major roads, we will request the President to implement this based on data,” he said.

The MMDA chief lamented that there are 184 regional offices in Metro Manila that should not be located in the NCR.

He also noted that 500,000 government employees work in NCR—200,000 of whom have vehicles, and 300,000 are commuters.

“If we can move them during peak hours of traffic and travel, that would be a huge relief for the public transport system,” Artes said.

He noted that several MMDA employees support a 7-to-4 schedule as it gives them more time with their families.

The MMDA is currently in talks with LGUs about the proposal.

“So far, only the cities of San Juan, Pasay and Pasig have sent us their feedcak on the 7-to-4 working hours,” he said.

Reinstating WFH for gov’t employees?

While few private companies have set up hybrid or full-time work-from-home schedules, Artes said the Civil Service Commission of the Philippines has issued guidelines, including the adoption of Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) for government offices. However, the decision will still be up to the respective agencies, as some offices require the physical presence of employees.