Koronadal City, South Cotabato – The Provincial Government of South Cotabato has assured residents that public services will continue without disruption despite the implementation of new energy conservation measures mandated by the national government.
Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. emphasized that while adjustments in the work schedule of provincial employees are being introduced, the delivery of essential services to the public will remain a top priority.
The new measures stem from Memorandum Circular No. 114, issued by the Office of the President of the Philippines, which directs government agencies and local government units to adopt energy conservation and efficiency initiatives.
In response, the provincial government issued Administrative Order No. 2, Series of 2026, formally adopting the guidelines and outlining how they will be implemented within the province.
Under the new policy, Governor Tamayo explained that provincial offices will restructure their weekly work schedules to maximize productivity while contributing to the national effort to reduce energy consumption.
Traditionally, many meetings and coordination sessions among government departments are held on Mondays.
However, under the new arrangement, these meetings will be transferred to Fridays. The change is intended to allow employees to focus on their primary responsibilities and deliverables during the core working days from Monday to Thursday.
“By moving meetings to Friday, employees can dedicate the earlier part of the week to completing their assigned tasks and ensuring that services are delivered efficiently,” Governor Tamayo said.
Fridays will also be designated for Work-from-Home (WFH) arrangements for many provincial government employees. During this time, staff may conduct meetings, training sessions, and seminars remotely. The shift to remote work on Fridays is expected to help reduce electricity consumption in government buildings while still maintaining coordination among offices.
Despite the adjustments, Governor Tamayo assured the public that frontline services will not be affected by the policy. Offices that provide critical and immediate assistance will continue to operate normally.
These include agencies such as the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), and provincial hospitals throughout South Cotabato. Personnel assigned to these essential services will maintain their regular schedules to ensure that residents continue to receive timely assistance.
“Services to our people will not be compromised,” the governor emphasized. “Frontline offices will remain fully operational because they provide essential support, especially during emergencies and critical situations.”
The implementation of Administrative Order No. 2 aligns the province with the national government’s campaign to reduce energy consumption across public institutions. By adopting energy-efficient practices and optimizing work schedules, the provincial government hopes to contribute to broader sustainability goals while maintaining high standards of public service.
Government offices are expected to monitor their energy usage and implement additional conservation measures, including responsible electricity consumption and the use of energy-efficient equipment where possible.
Governor Tamayo reiterated that the provincial government remains committed to balancing environmental responsibility with effective governance. The policy, he said, demonstrates how local governments can support national initiatives while continuing to deliver essential services to their communities.
As the new work arrangements take effect, the provincial government is encouraging employees and departments to cooperate fully with the guidelines and to use the revised schedule as an opportunity to enhance productivity.
With the assurance from the provincial leadership, residents of South Cotabato can expect uninterrupted government services even as the province joins the nationwide effort to promote energy conservation and efficiency.
