President Ferdinand ”Bongbong” Marcos Jr. approved the temporary four-day work week to be implemented in offices under the executive department to mitigate the effects of the US-Israel, Iran conflict in the Middle East.

In a video message, Marcos said the temporary measures will start Monday, March 9, in all government agencies under the executive department, except for police, military and other agencies task to do frontline and emergency services.

This is part of the government’s measures to save energy resources amid the conflict in the Middle East.

Marcos said that unnecessary travel and activities such as study tours and team-building activities would temporarily be prohibited.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 114, it was stated that there was a need to adopt strict energy conservation measures to further reduce the energy footprint of government operations and optimize the use of public resources.

“To further reduce building energy load and transport fuel use, agencies shall adopt a four-day onsite work arrangement, through a compressed workweek or a designated common day for work-from-home arrangements,” the memo read.

The measure will be in accordance with Civil Service Commission (CSC) MC No. 6 (s. 2022), as amended by CSC MC No. 1 (s. 2025), and such other existing rules and guidelines for the adoption of flexible work arrangements

“The adoption of a four-day onsite work arrangement shall be implemented starting 09 March 2026 and shall remain in effect until lifted or sooner revoked by the President. This arrangement shall serve as an interim measure, to be continued only until circumstances warrant its modification or discontinuance,” the memo said.

”For this purpose, all agencies are hereby directed to formulate their respective internal guidelines to ensure proper monitoring and documentation, including verification of attendance, and performance standards and monitoring mechanisms, in accordance with existing CSC laws, rules and regulations,” it added.

Marcos also directed all agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including GOCCs, to reduce their actual electricity and fuel consumption by 10% to 20%.