BACOLOD CITY — The municipal government of Toboso and the city government of Silay in Negros Occidental returned to a five-day workweek effective, May 11, after more than a month of implementing a four-day compressed schedule as part of energy conservation efforts.
Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco, in a media interview, said the compressed workweek proved ineffective, citing minimal energy savings and disruptions in public service delivery in the town.
He noted that the setup created operational bottlenecks and slowed government transactions and municipal operations.
Under the arrangement, employees rendered two additional working hours daily.
However, Jaojoco observed that client visits to government offices dropped by about 30 percent in the afternoons, affecting service efficiency.
He also pointed out that the municipality already benefits from renewable energy through its solar power system, making the four-day schedule less practical.
“Why would we continue with something that is no longer favorable for us?” Jaojoco asked.
Jaojoco said reverting to a regular five-day workweek would better serve residents, admitting that the compressed schedule caused “more harm than good.”
According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Negros Island Region, Toboso reduced its monthly electricity expenses by 71.41 percent following the installation of solar power systems at the Municipal Government Center and public market.
Each facility is equipped with a 100-kilowatt solar power system, bringing the municipality’s total solar capacity to 200 kilowatts.
The initiative lowered electricity costs from PHP 498,917.84 in September 2025 to PHP 142,642.24 in March 2026.
Toboso is also finalizing a net-metering agreement with the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative to further maximize savings through the export of excess solar energy to the grid.
Jaojoco said the municipality is planning to expand the use of solar energy to barangay halls and schools in the town, pending further assessment.
Mayor Joedith Gallego announced on social media over the weekend that all city government offices in Silay City will also resume regular operations from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning May 11.
The public was advised to schedule visits and transactions accordingly.
Meanwhile, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he would seek clarification from the DILG regarding guidelines on the implementation of compressed work schedules. (Glazyl M. Jopson via tdg photo by tdg)