UPDATE, 12 April 2024: The Metro Manila Council (MMC) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have announced that the adjusted work hours of local government units will take effect on May 2, 2024, instead of April 15. Read more here.
All local government units (LGUs) of Metro Manila will have their work hours from 7am to 4pm effective April 15, 2024, in a bid to help ease traffic congestion in the capital.
The shift is based on the findings and recommendation of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), which has issued MMDA Resolution No. 24-04 to effect the change. Dated February 28, 2024, the document was published today, April 10.
“The traditional 8am to 5pm working hours in government offices align with the standard working hours of private companies, thereby contributing to traffic congestion in Metro Manila,” the resolution reads.
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According to the 2023 TomTom Traffic Index, which ranked Metro Manila traffic as the worst in the world, morning traffic starts to build up around 5am on weekdays and peaks at 7-8am. Meanwhile, evening rush hour begins at 5pm and is at its worst around 6pm.
In addition, national government agencies based in Metro Manila are also “strongly encouraged” to adopt the 7am–4pm work hours “to distribute the ingress and egress of employees, thereby mitigating traffic congestion during peak hours.”
“The chief executives of local government units located in the National Capital Region shall ensure strict implementation of the prescribed working schedule,” the resolution states. “Government agencies located in the National Capital Region providing essential services may adopt the same working schedule adjustment provided that they ensure continuous and uninterrupted public service delivery.”
What do you think of this new measure—will it have an effect in improving Metro Manila traffic?
MMDA Resolution No. 24-04
