President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that starting March 9, government agencies under the Executive Department will temporarily adopt a four-day work week in response to the anticipated oil supply disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
In a video message on Friday, March 6, Marcos outlined several measures to mitigate the expected rise in fuel prices.
“Simula sa Lunes, ika-9 ng Marso, pansamantala nating ipapatupad ang four-day work week sa ilang tanggapan ng ehekutibo (Starting Monday, March 9, we will temporarily implement a four-day workweek in some offices of the executive branch),” Marcos said.
The adjustment will exclude offices providing emergency and essential services, such as the police, firefighters, and frontline agencies serving the public.
Additionally, Marcos ordered a temporary suspension of non-essential government travel, including study tours, team-building activities, and meetings that can be conducted online.
He also directed all government agencies to conserve energy and reduce their electricity consumption and fuel expenses by 10 to 20 percent.
Aside from these orders, Marcos said he has also been coordinating with Congress to grant him temporary authority to reduce the excise tax on petroleum products if the price reaches $80 per barrel.
He added that he was already in talks with Congress to amend the Biofuels Act of 2006 in a bid to use cheaper bioethanol to further lower gasoline prices.
Marcos also announced the release of fuel subsidies and cash transfers for affected sectors.
The government, he further said, continues to monitor the prices of goods in the markets to ensure that no one takes advantage of the situation. He appealed to businessmen and traders to “not exploit the situation.
“Nakikiusap ako sa ating mga negosyante at mga traders: huwag ninyo sanang samantalahin ang sitwasyong ito. Pinapaalala ko sa lahat na ang hoarding at profiteering ay labag sa batas,” Marcos said.
According to the President, these steps are aimed at protecting Filipinos from the impacts of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, stressing that while the Philippines cannot control what happens in the war, it can control what steps it takes for its citizens.
“Hindi natin alam kung kailan matatapos ang kaguluhan sa Gitnang Silangan. Biktima tayo ng isang giyera na hindi natin pinili o ninanais,” Marcos said.
“Hindi natin kontrolado ang digmaan. Pero kontrolado natin kung paano natin poprotektahan ang Pilipino,” Marcos stressed.
The President also assured the public that government agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will continue to coordinate with Filipinos in the Middle East to monitor their situation.
He said next week, an increase in petroleum prices is expected. Gasoline prices are estimated to rise by P7.48 per liter, diesel by P17.28, and kerosene by P32.35. (Betheena Unite)
