TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite – The Office of the Provincial Governor in Cavite has issued an executive order adopting a compressed workweek for its employees due to the extreme heat temperatures recorded in the country.

The order, known as Executive Order No. 19, Series 2024, is effective from 29 April 2024 until 31 July 2024.

The order, signed by Governor Juanito Victor C. Remulla, is in line with the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 6, s.2022, which provides for the Policies on Flexible Work Arrangements in the Government.

The circular defines a compressed workweek as a work arrangement whereby the standard forty-hour workweek for five days is compressed to four days or less.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has recorded extremely high temperatures in the country, reaching even higher during the current dry season, exacerbated by El Niño.

PAGASA has projected various climate-related health impacts on human health and an increasing risk of exposure to diseases that may reach “extreme danger” levels in the coming months.

The compressed workweek aims to reduce exposure to extreme heat, mitigating its harmful effects on individuals transacting with the Provincial Government, as well as on the health and productivity of its employees and officials.

Under the new order, Cavite provincial government offices will observe a workweek from Monday to Thursday.

However, there are specific exemptions listed for certain offices and personnel who shall continue their regular work schedule despite this order.

The Office of the Provincial Health Officer and all provincially supervised hospitals, along with the Office of the Provincial Jail, will continue to observe their regular schedule.

The move is seen as a proactive measure to protect the health and well-being of both the employees and the public amidst the ongoing climate crisis.