The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Central Office will implement a work-from-home arrangement every Friday beginning March 13, 2026 as part of government efforts to conserve energy amid rising global fuel market uncertainty linked to tensions in the Middle East.
DTI Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan announced the measure in a Facebook post, saying the policy was issued in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for government agencies to reduce energy consumption as geopolitical developments threaten to disrupt global oil supplies.
Under Memorandum Order No. 26-886, series of 2026, the DTI Central Office will adopt a special flexible work arrangement requiring most employees to work remotely every Friday, except for personnel assigned to frontline services.
The directive states that Friday transactions are encouraged to be conducted online, while shuttle services and motorpool vehicles will not operate on those days to help cut fuel consumption.
The order also provides that elevator operations, lighting, and air-conditioning systems at the DTI Main Building and the DTI-FLI Building in Makati will operate at reduced capacity during Fridays as part of the department’s energy efficiency measures.
The DTI memorandum also said the arrangement is intended to mitigate the impact of rising gasoline and electricity costs while ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of public services.
The measure comes as Malacañang said President Marcos is open to studying a possible four-day workweek in government offices if tensions in the Middle East escalate further.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the proposal has not yet been formally discussed but may be considered as part of broader energy conservation efforts ordered by the President across government agencies.
