Again, solving traffic problem with 4-day workweek

It seems that the government cannot come up with even a temporary solution to ease the monstrous traffic in Metro Manila. According to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), there is a growing number of motor vehicles.

Therefore, the only solution to temporarily relieve us of this problem is to reduce the flow of vehicles in the streets. How?

In the meantime that the government is looking for a permanent, doable plan, may I reiterate a suggestion: a four-day workweek wherein, every day, three different cities in Metro Manila “observe a holiday” and employees work only for four days instead of five days a week. (This may not, however, cover government agencies at the “frontline” of public service—e.g., health and social welfare).

By way of example, the holidays could be observed thus:

1)  Manila, Taguig and Valenzuela     –   Monday

2)  Quezon City, Pateros, Caloocan     –   Tuesday

3)  Muntinlupa, Makati, Pasig            –          Wednesday

4)  Malabon, Marikina, San Juan      –           Thursday

5)  Pasay, Parañaque, Navotas, Las Piñas –   Friday

To encourage participation, President Duterte may suspend laws on night differentials for employees and employers who adopt this work scheme, provided the proposed emergency powers for the President include this authority.

A good example showing the effect of this suggestion is when Manila and San Juan City hold no offices every June 24 to celebrate Manila Day and the Feast of St. John the Baptist, respectively. On this day, light traffic is always experienced in Metro Manila as the number of vehicles out in these areas is considerably reduced.

Thus, this staggered system of four-day workweek will certainly ease traffic in Metro Manila and result in gas and fuel savings. Also this will allow taxi, bus and jeepney drivers additional daily trips, thereby increasing their daily income. On the other hand, employees will save a lot from an additional day-off in terms of transportation expenses, food and clothing.

I heard that in the Senate and/or in the House of Representatives this work schedule is implemented, hence, there seems no reason why the same could not be adopted in Metro Manila, while the government is looking for a solution to this problem.

To compensate for the eight-hour loss from the reduced working days, the working hours of the offices or companies may be adjusted accordingly to comply with the 40-hour workweek requirement. This may mean, office hours from 7 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., or a total of 10 hours a day for four days.

At any rate, most employees stay late in the office even after office hours or come to work very early in the morning to avoid traffic. A little sacrifice from all concerned, people or offices, is not too much to ask for at this time when everybody is called upon to cooperate for the greater welfare of the public.

Educational institutions may also be encouraged to support this proposal by making appropriate adjustments to the class schedules of their students and faculty members.

I reiterate that this suggestion is just a temporary solution while the government is still studying more efficient ways and means to solve the traffic mess in Metro Manila.

ROMULO B. MACALINTAL, Las Piñas City