By CESAR JOLITO III

Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has ordered the implementation of a four-day workweek in city government offices starting March 16, as part of efforts to reduce electricity and fuel consumption amid rising global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.

In his Executive Order No. 15, Gasataya directed city government offices to adopt a Monday to Thursday work schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., replacing the traditional five-day workweek.

Gasataya said the measure aims to reduce operational energy costs and fuel consumption in city offices while ensuring that public resources funded by taxpayers are used responsibly.

Despite the schedule change, frontline and essential services will remain fully operational to ensure uninterrupted delivery of public services.

These include the City Health Office, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Department of Social Services and Development, City Engineer’s Office, Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office, General Services Office, and the Public Order and Safety Office.

The city government also assured that its hotline and help desk for overseas Filipino workers affected by the situation in the Middle East will continue to operate.

The four-day workweek complements Executive Order No. 11, which Gasataya signed in February, mandating energy and fuel conservation in all city offices.

The earlier directive limits the use of air-conditioning units and other electrical appliances and regulates the use of government vehicles.

Gasataya emphasized that electricity and fuel expenses are funded by taxpayers, stressing the need for discipline and responsibility in government spending.

Savings from reduced energy consumption, he said, could instead be directed toward programs and services that benefit Bacolod residents./CJ, WDJ