MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will return to a standard five-day workweek starting June 1, following the signing of a memorandum on May 28 that restores the traditional schedule for all its bureaus, services, regional offices and attached agencies.
The order was signed by Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, effectively ending the department’s interim compressed workweek arrangement, which had been implemented in line with the Office of the President’s Memorandum Circular 114.
MMC 114 directed government agencies to adopt energy conservation measures, including alternative work setups, to help manage the impact of global market volatility.
Under MC 114, agencies were allowed to implement arrangements such as a four-day workweek to reduce energy consumption across the public sector.
In the memorandum, DOLE cited the need to balance administrative efficiency with its mandate to the public.
“As the primary responsible agency for labor standards and social protection, and to satisfy the non-impediment clause of MC No. 114 and to fulfill the department’s statutory mandate to the public, the interim four-day compressed workweek arrangement is hereby revoked, and the standard five-day workweek structure is formally restored,” the memorandum stated.
The DOLE reported that the compressed workweek resulted in a decline in electricity consumption from 113,560 kWh in February 2026 to 100,720 kWh in March 2026. Fuel usage also dropped from 4,722.85 liters to 3,752.63 liters over the same period, a reduction of 970.22 liters.
Despite the return to a five-day schedule, the department said it will continue to implement energy conservation measures across its operations.
House also back to on-site work
The House of Representatives lifted yesterday its memo issued last March providing for a work-from-home arrangement, borne out of uncertainties brought about by the US-Iran war in the Middle East.
House secretary general Cheloy Garafil issued the advisory about the “reversion to regular on-site work schedule” of both House officials and employees, which shall take effect on June 1, from Mondays to Thursdays.
“House officials and employees shall report on-site from Monday to Thursday, thus reverting to their regular work schedule effective June 1,” the advisory stated, which will make staff members return to their 10-hour work schedule.
The memorandum on austerity measures was issued by Speaker Faustino Dy III and Garafil on March 23, in compliance with MC 114.