The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Expanding work-from-home (WFH) and flexible work arrangements is a practical response to rising oil prices tied to tensions in the Middle East, Senator Joel Villanueva said Thursday.
Villanueva, principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 11165 (Work-From-Home Law), said the law provides a framework that can be leveraged to reduce commuting demand and fuel consumption.
“Sa panahon na tumataas po ang presyo ng langis dahil sa mga kaguluhan sa ibang bahagi ng mundo, dapat pong gamitin natin ang mga mekanismong mayroon na tayo sa batas upang makatulong sa mga manggagawa (At a time when oil prices are rising due to conflicts in other parts of the world, we should use the mechanisms already provided by law to help workers),” Villanueva said.
Enacted in 2018, the law institutionalized WFH arrangements in the private sector, allowing employees to perform duties from alternative workplaces using telecommunications and digital technology.
Villanueva noted that employers could also implement other flexible arrangements such as hybrid setups, compressed workweeks, staggered hours, and flexible schedules to ease commuting pressures.
“Hindi lang benepisyo sa empleyado ang epekto ng Work-from-Home law. Isa rin po itong praktikal na hakbang upang mabawasan ang konsumo ng gasolina at diesel lalo na at inaasahan po nating sisipa pataas ang presyo dulot ng kaguluhan sa Middle East (The Work-from-Home law does not only benefit employees. It is also a practical step to reduce gasoline and diesel consumption, especially as prices are expected to rise due to tensions in the Middle East),” he said.
He added that flexible work arrangements could help ease traffic congestion, lower transportation costs for workers, and improve productivity amid global oil price volatility.
In the public sector, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has approved flexible work arrangements through Memorandum Circular No. 06 issued in June 2022, institutionalizing adaptable work schemes for civil servants during disruptive situations.