The DepEd Philippines will adopt a four-day onsite workweek for non-teaching personnel as part of energy conservation measures approved by Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
The adjustment places administrative employees on onsite duty from Monday to Thursday, with work-from-home arrangements scheduled every Friday.
DepEd said the policy forms part of government efforts to reduce electricity consumption as fuel prices remain elevated. The department’s central office, regional offices, and field units consume significant power during regular operations. Officials said shifting one workday to remote arrangements will lower energy demand inside government buildings while allowing administrative functions to continue.
The directive applies only to non-teaching personnel. Teachers and school-based staff remain excluded because they must stay in their assigned stations to ensure classes and school services continue without disruption. DepEd stressed that learning activities and school operations will proceed under existing schedules.
Angara approved the work arrangement as part of broader government responses encouraging agencies to adopt energy-saving protocols. “This is part of our effort to conserve energy while ensuring that our services remain uninterrupted,” Angara said.
Employees assigned to remote work on Fridays must remain reachable and complete their regular duties during official working hours. DepEd said supervisors will continue monitoring productivity and work output to ensure the schedule adjustment does not affect the delivery of administrative services.
The department said the four-day onsite schedule seeks to balance operational continuity with the need to reduce energy consumption as fuel prices continue to affect government operations. Officials noted that the measure allows offices to maintain administrative work while contributing to national efforts aimed at managing electricity use during the ongoing fuel pressure.
