Senator Erwin Tulfo on Sunday urged both government agencies and private companies to consider reinstating work-from-home (WFH) arrangements as fuel prices continue to rise, placing added strain on workers’ daily expenses.
Tulfo said the revival of flexible work setups could significantly help employees cope with increasing transportation costs, particularly those whose jobs do not require physical presence in the workplace.
“If a worker’s physical presence or activity is not required at the workplace, why not just have them report online?” Tulfo said.
“For instance, those in office roles like planning, research, admin, customer service, and other similar jobs can work from home,” he added.
The senator pointed out that similar arrangements proved effective during the COVID-19 pandemic, when multiple sectors, including education and healthcare, successfully transitioned to online platforms.
“Even medical consultations and check-ups were done online by doctors during the pandemic. Why not do it again now?” he said.
“If physical presence is required, such as in manufacturing, hotels, restaurants, or hospitals, colleagues can carpool in one vehicle and split the gas costs,” the lawmaker added.
He also raised concerns over what he described as a growing number of stranded commuters, attributing it to fewer public utility vehicles (PUVs) operating due to high fuel costs.
“I’ve noticed that the number of stranded passengers on the streets seems to be increasing these days,” he said.
Tulfo emphasized that combining WFH arrangements with shared transportation options could provide immediate relief to workers struggling with daily commuting expenses.
“With these steps that we have tried before, workers will be able to save,” he stressed.
Some government offices have already adopted alternative work arrangements, including four-day onsite schedules.
Malacañang had earlier issued Memorandum Circular 114, which calls for stricter energy conservation measures in government agencies to reduce consumption and promote efficient use of resources.
