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The Bureau of Customs is adopting a four-day onsite, one-day work-from-home arrangement in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive
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The order calls on government agencies to implement energy conservation measures amid the ongoing Middle East conflict and the resulting fuel supply disruption
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All frontline offices/units will, however, remain fully operational and adequately manned on all working days, including Fridays
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For all other departments/offices during the Friday WFH, there must be at least 25% of the employees onsite, as determined by the head of office or division
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Personnel on WFH should also remain reachable during office hours through official communication channels
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is adopting a four-day onsite, one-day work-from-home (WFH) arrangement in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for government agencies to implement energy conservation measures amid the ongoing Middle East conflict and the resulting fuel supply disruption.
All offices/units performing frontline services will, however, remain fully operational and adequately manned on all working days, including Fridays, to ensure efficient, effective and continuous delivery of public service, according to Office of the Commissioner (OCOM) Memo No. 24-2026 dated March 9.
The memo immediately took effect on the same day and will remain in place until lifted or revoked.
OCOM Memo No. 24-2026 noted that frontline services refer to transactions between clients and government offices or agencies involving applications for any privilege, right, permit, reward, license, concession, or for any modification, renewal or extension of the enumerated applications and/or requests which are acted upon in the ordinary course of business of the agency or office concerned, consistent with the definition of frontline services under the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, as amended, and Civil Service Commission MC No. 12 series of 2008.
OCOM Memo No. 24-2026 was issued in compliance with Memorandum Circular No. 14, which directs government agencies to adopt energy conservation and efficiency measures to reduce electricity and fuel consumption.
READ: Executive branch adopts 4-day work week to cushion effects of high oil prices
Under OCOM Memo No. 24-2026, onsite work will be from 07:00 am to 06:00 pm from Monday to Thursday, while the one-day WFH will be every Friday.
During the Friday WFH though, there must be at least 25% of the employees in each office or division that should still report onsite, as determined by the head of office or division.
Personnel on WFH should also remain reachable during office hours through official communication channels. The WFH arrangement should not be used to justify delay in accessibility, neglect of duty, or failure to meet required outputs, OCOM Memo No. 24-2026 noted.
In cases of emergency or urgent critical circumstances requiring the physical presence of personnel to ensure the unhampered delivery of public services, the BOC commissioner or his duly authorized officials may require personnel to report onsite during Fridays.
Aside from a hybrid work arrangement, BOC will also implement other energy conservation measures, such as adopting virtual meetings as the default mode for interagency coordination, consultations, conferences, and similar engagements; limiting official travel to essential and indispensable functions; strengthen vehicle fleet efficiency measures; and maintaining a standard thermostat setting of 24°C for airconditioned spaces.
