By CESAR JOLITO III

The municipal government of Toboso in Negros Occidental will revert to a regular five-day work week starting May 11, as local officials move to address operational delays observed under the previously implemented compressed work schedule.

Mayor Richard Jaojoco said the adjustment is aimed at improving public service efficiency and accessibility, citing slowdowns in government transactions under the shortened work arrangement.

“Services in the municipality have slowed down,” Jaojoco said in local remarks, noting that the compressed schedule created bottlenecks in day-to-day operations.

“The five-day work week is more favorable to the constituents,” he added, emphasizing that the change will ensure consistent access to municipal services throughout the week.

Alongside the administrative shift, the local government also reported significant gains in its renewable energy program, with electricity costs reduced by 71.41 percent following the installation of solar power systems.

Data from the municipal government showed that monthly power expenses dropped from P498,917.84 in September 2025 to P142,642.24 in March 2026 after solar installations at the municipal government center and public market.

According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government in the Negros Island Region, each facility is now powered by a 100-kilowatt solar system, giving the municipality a combined capacity of 200 kilowatts.

The locality is also finalizing a net metering agreement with the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative, which would allow excess solar energy to be exported to the grid, potentially generating additional revenue for the local government./CJ, WDJ