The Provincial Government of Davao de Oro has officially reverted to its regular five-day work arrangement starting May 25, 2026. This decision was formalized through Memorandum Order No. 0827, series of 2026, which returns government operations to a Monday-to-Friday schedule from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
End of Four-Day Workweek
The four-day workweek had been in effect for approximately two months. It was implemented under Executive Order No. 0030, series of 2026, which introduced a flexible working arrangement for all provincial employees. Under that scheme, employees worked from Monday to Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Friday designated as a non-working day. However, frontline offices and those providing emergency and essential services remained operational throughout the period.
Alignment with National Directive
The flexible working scheme was aligned with a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who ordered the temporary adoption of a four-day workweek in the executive branch starting March 9, 2026, to reduce energy consumption. This directive was formalized through Memorandum Circular No. 114, which covers national government agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations, local government units, state universities and colleges, and other government institutions.
Under the circular, agencies were required to continue delivering essential and emergency services while enforcing energy-saving measures. These measures included setting air conditioning to 24 degrees Celsius, limiting the use of non-essential lights and equipment, and placing devices on sleep mode when not in use.
Response to Global Fuel Crisis
The energy-saving initiative was a response to the global fuel crisis, which was exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East, driving fuel prices higher. The reversion to the regular five-day workweek indicates a stabilization of energy conditions or a reassessment of operational needs.
