By CESAR JOLITO III

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he will seek clarification from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) regarding whether local government units (LGUs) can officially return to the standard five-day work week after several municipalities started reverting to regular office operations.

Lacson said he plans to directly consult Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to determine the proper guidelines before the provincial government makes any changes to its current compressed work schedule.

The Negros Occidental provincial government implemented a four-day compressed work week on March 16 in compliance with Memorandum Circular No. 114 issued by the Office of the President.

The policy was introduced to help reduce fuel consumption and ease the impact of rising fuel prices linked to tensions and market volatility in the Middle East.

However, some LGUs in the province have already started returning to the traditional Monday-to-Friday work schedule.

“I understand it’s not only Toboso. I understand Bago is also going back to a five-day work week,” Lacson said.

Earlier, Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco announced that the municipal government of Toboso would resume regular office hours starting May 11.

Jaojoco said the move aims to speed up government transactions and improve public service delivery.

As more LGUs move to restore normal working hours, Lacson emphasized the need for official direction from the DILG to ensure the provincial government follows proper protocol before deciding whether to return to the regular five-day work week at the Capitol./CJ, WDJ