President Marcos Jr. Considers Adjusting Government Work Hours in Metro Manila to Combat Traffic

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Monday that the government is evaluating a proposal from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to shift government office hours in Metro Manila. The suggested change, moving work hours to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., aims to alleviate the notorious traffic jams in the region. Speaking in Taguig City, Marcos emphasized the need to consider the commuting public’s perspective before making any decisions. He stated, ‘We’re studying it. If it works, we’ll do it. But we have to, it’s not enough to talk to the traffic enforcers and the administrators of traffic that have made the suggestion. We also have to ask the commuting public if it’s practical for them.’ Marcos added that should the public endorse the change, there would be no obstacle to its implementation. MMDA chair Don Artes previously suggested that this adjustment could significantly reduce traffic congestion. Last year, similar early working hours were trialed by local government units in the National Capital Region.