Even with 4-day workweek, JO’s won’t lose pay

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Government assured that the local government has taken steps to ensure that job-order (JO) employees will not suffer reduced income following the implementation of a four-day workweek starting this week.

To prevent any salary cuts, Mandaue City executive secretary Riczen Gingoyon explained in an interview that the city introduced a work arrangement allowing employees to work from home on Fridays while still receiving pay.

“Five days lang gihapon, for as long as every Monday mo-provide lang sila og accomplishment report kung nag-unsa sila pag Friday,” Gingoyon said.

The measure addresses concerns raised by some JO employees, particularly those under a “no work, no pay” scheme, who feared income loss under the shortened workweek.

Gingoyon emphasized that Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano remains mindful of the situation, noting that employees will still effectively render five days of work despite the new setup.

“Still five days gihapon sila, gipangitaan og paagi ni Mayor Jonkie and sa City Administrator’s Office na ang arrangement is on Fridays paid gihapon sila pero work from home,” he added.

Under the policy, JO employees are required to submit a list of completed tasks, such as budgeting, research, and encoding --duties that can be done remotely.

“Dili mo-diminish ang ilang sweldo sa mga JOs,” Gingoyon assured.

Mayor Ouano has already signed the executive order last week mandating the four-day workweek in response to rising fuel costs amid tensions in the Middle East. The order takes effect on Thursday, April 16, 2026 with Fridays designated for work-from-home arrangements, subject to approval by the City Administrator’s Office depending on which offices can comply.

Department heads and supervisors have submitted their respective action plans and implementation strategies. These will guide the city government in determining which employees or offices may be exempt from the arrangement.

Essential and frontline offices including the police, fire services, disaster response unit, city hospital, and traffic enforcement will remain fully operational.

“In times of emergency naa ra na sila, standby gihapon na nga offices,” Gingoyon said.

Revenue-generating units such as the public market and slaughterhouse will also continue operations, with collection personnel working even on Fridays.

Gingoyon clarified that the work-from-home setup primarily applies to administrative functions, as enforcement-related duties cannot be performed remotely.

Despite the new schedule, the executive secretary assured the public that City Hall services will remain accessible.

“Still naa gihapon ang mga vital offices, if naay mo-process naa gihapon makaatiman sa ilaha,” he said.

He added that adjustments may still be made as the policy is in its initial rollout phase.

“Sige lang, there will be fee adjustments. This is still first pa man ni nato sa Mandaue City,” Gingoyon said. BRP (CEBU NEWS)