RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva said the Philippines’ digital platforms are ready to support a potential shift to a four-day workweek in the private sector.
Villanueva made this observation as the government rolls out energy-saving measures in response to rising global oil prices linked to the Middle East crisis.
Speaking on the DZRH News program “Special on Saturday” on March 7, Villanueva said the country’s digital ecosystem is already well-prepared to sustain remote or hybrid work arrangements, citing lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Handang-handa na tayo. Na-train na tayo dun sa COVID-19… wala namang pumapasok sa opisina kundi lahat work from home, or work from anywhere,” Villanueva said, noting that digital platforms had already proven their ability to support business and financial services even during major disruptions.
The fintech industry leader added that energy conservation should not be limited to government offices, stressing that the private sector must also take part in efforts to safeguard the country’s energy reserves amid global uncertainty.
“Kailangan buong bansa, hindi lang dapat ito pa ah ang pamahalaan ang maglunsad ng ganitong four-day work week. Kasi nga ‘yung energy reserve natin ay very critical,” Villanueva said.
“Hindi natin alam kung hanggang kailan tatagal itong conflict sa Middle East, kaya dapat maging handa ang lahat at as early as now mag-conserve tayo ng energy,” he added.
For his part, Villanueva revealed that Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has decided to adopt a similar arrangement beginning March 9, with employees working from home every Friday as part of its own energy-saving measures.
“In fact, kasabay nung announcement ng Pangulo ng four-day work week sa pamahalaan, nag-announce din ang RCBC ng four-day work week… isang work from home every Friday,” he said.
Under the arrangement, RCBC employees will report physically to offices for four days while working remotely on Fridays, a move the bank says will help reduce electricity consumption in office buildings.
Villanueva said the measure is aimed at conserving energy, noting that reduced office occupancy will cut the use of air-conditioning, lighting, and other power-intensive facilities.
“Kasi nga para ‘yung Friday, wala nang mako-conserve ng energy — wala nang aircon, wala nang ilaw, etcetera,” he said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday, March 6, ordered the temporary implementation of a four-day workweek in selected executive branch offices starting March 9, alongside directives for government agencies to reduce electricity and fuel consumption by 10 to 20 percent as global oil prices rise due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
