The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will officially return to its original five-day workweek arrangement beginning June 1, following the signing of a memorandum by Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino on May 28.
The memorandum restores the standard workweek schedule for all DOLE bureaus, services, regional offices, and attached agencies after the department temporarily adopted a four-day compressed workweek (CWW).
The CWW was implemented in compliance with Memorandum Circular No. 114 issued by the Office of the President, which directed government agencies to adopt strict energy conservation measures amid global market volatility. The circular also allowed alternative work arrangements, including a four-day workweek, to help reduce the public sector’s energy consumption.
In the memorandum, DOLE emphasized its mandate to provide uninterrupted public service and labor protection.
“As the primary responsible agency for labor standards and social protection, and to satisfy the non-impediment clause of MC No. 114 and to fulfill the Department’s statutory mandate to the public, the interim four-day compressed workweek arrangement is hereby revoked, and the standard five-day workweek structure is formally restored,” the memorandum stated.
DOLE reported that the compressed workweek setup resulted in lower energy and fuel consumption. Electricity usage decreased from 113,560 kilowatt-hours in February 2026 to 100,720 kilowatt-hours in March 2026. Fuel consumption also dropped by 970.22 liters during the same period.
Despite the return to the regular workweek, the department assured the public that energy conservation practices will continue to be observed across its offices nationwide.
