Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will restore its standard five-day workweek starting June 1, following the issuance of a memorandum ordering the return to the regular schedule.
Newly installed Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino signed the order on Thursday, May 28, reverting the agency to the standard workweek arrangement.
The restored schedule will cover all DOLE bureaus, services, regional offices, and attached agencies.
In the memorandum, DOLE stated that the interim four-day compressed workweek arrangement was revoked to ensure uninterrupted public service and fulfill the department’s mandate.
According to data from DOLE, the department’s electricity consumption dropped from 113,560 kilowatt-hours in February 2026 to 100,720 kilowatt-hours in March 2026 after the compressed workweek was implemented.
Fuel consumption also declined from 4,722.85 liters to 3,752.63 liters during the same period, reflecting a reduction of 970.22 liters.
DOLE earlier adopted the compressed workweek in line with the Office of the President’s Memorandum Circular No. 114, which directed government agencies to implement energy conservation measures amid volatile global prices.
The circular permitted alternative work arrangements, including a four-day workweek, to reduce the public sector’s energy footprint.
The department emphasized that it will continue implementing strict energy conservation measures despite the return to a five-day workweek.
