The Mandaue City government has returned to a regular five-day workweek and ended its skeletal workforce arrangement effective May 17, 2026.
Mayor Ouano Ends 4-Day Workweek
Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano discontinued the four-day workweek policy to provide more convenient and accessible public service for residents. According to Ouano, City Hall offices will resume normal operations.
Based on public feedback, the five-day schedule is more effective for residents processing documents and transacting with the city government.
Reasons for the Shift
The mayor explained that the local government decided to abandon the compressed workweek after oil prices began to stabilize. This eased concerns that previously prompted the city to implement cost-saving measures.
He added that residents found the four-day workweek impractical for those visiting government offices on weekdays.
Continued Cost-Saving Initiatives
Despite the return to normal operations, Ouano assured that the city government will continue energy-saving initiatives to reduce operational costs.
Rules that remain in place include reducing fuel consumption for government vehicles and strict monitoring of electricity use inside City Hall offices. Employees are also instructed to turn off lights and air-conditioning units when offices are unoccupied.
Comparison of Savings
Ouano revealed that he has requested data from the City Administrator’s Office to compare savings from the four-day workweek against the resumed five-day schedule.
City Administrator Gonzalo “Sally” Malig-on Jr. said his office has consolidated reports from department heads to determine the difference in operational expenses.
Malig-on clarified that regardless of the amount saved—whether large or small—the city government prioritizes uninterrupted public service over fund savings.
Background
The Mandaue City government first implemented the four-day workweek on April 17, 2026, amid rising oil prices due to tensions in the Middle East.
Under that change, the city designated Wednesdays or Fridays—specifically Fridays—as work-from-home days for employees to save on fuel and energy.
Other local government units (LGUs) in the country adopted similar measures in response to the increase in oil prices and operational expenses at that time.
According to Mandaue officials, the return to the regular workweek reflects the administration's stance of prioritizing accessible government service and maintaining full operations.
