Cotabato Province Shifts to 4-Day Workweek to Conserve Energy

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The provincial government of Cotabato Province has started implementing a four-day workweek in its offices as part of energy conservation measures ordered by the national government.

Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza announced that the new work arrangement took effect Monday, March 9, in compliance with Malacañang Palace Memorandum Circular 114, which directs government agencies nationwide to reduce power consumption.

The policy covers all offices under the Cotabato provincial government, whose capitol is located in Barangay Amas in Kidapawan City.

Mendoza, who also serves as presiding chairperson of the Regional Development Council Region XII, said the provincial government will also intensify the use of power-saving systems for office equipment that runs on electricity.

Employees have been instructed to limit the use of lighting inside and outside government buildings as part of the energy conservation program.

According to Mendoza, now in her second term as governor, the work arrangement and related measures comply with the guidelines of the Civil Service Commission.

She clarified, however, that provincial offices with frontline emergency services and public safety response functions will continue operating round the clock to ensure uninterrupted life-saving, community welfare, and protection services.

About The Author

John Unson

John Unson is a veteran Filipino journalist who serves as a staff writer for the regions “Central Mindanao and BARMM” at The Philippine Star. He covers news and events in Mindanao — especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the broader Central Mindanao area. His reporting spans a wide range of topics including security incidents, terrorist-related developments, drug enforcement, smuggling operations, social issues, and regional politics.

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