By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ), along with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Finance (DOF), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) signed on Monday (April 25, 2024) the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) on government workers’ right to self-organize.

These agencies specifically signed the 2024 Rules and Regulations of Executive Order (E.O.) No. 180 series 1987, “Governing the Exercise of the Right of Government Employees to Self-Organize.”

According to DOJ, among the salients points was the Registration of National Employees’ Organizations (NEO) which is the coalition of registered employee organizations within an agency for Collective Negotiation Agreements (CNAs), provides clearer qualifications and criteria for personnel eligibility to join employee organizations, use of electronic filing of pleadings/documents and online platforms, integration of new council policies, employee elections and other important guidelines.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that the ability of government employees to organize is pivotal to a responsive and resilient government.

“Today, as we inscribe our names unto this document, we celebrate the role of each government employee in shaping a government that is of the people, by the people, and for the people,” the Secretary added.

“The IRR we sign today is a promise — a promise to safeguard the rights of those who serve our country, to support their well-being, and to support their invaluable contribution to our nation.”

(el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is urging government agencies in Metro Manila to embrace Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs) in support of ongoing efforts to mitigate traffic congestion.

“With 440,009 or 22.30 percent of career and non-career personnel, the National Capital Region (NCR) hosts the largest number of government workers in the country. The current traffic conditions not only impede their mobility but also affect their productivity, especially for those who commute daily. By adopting FWAs, we can enhance efficiency and prioritize the health, safety, and welfare of our employees,” stated CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles in a Friday announcement.

Nograles highlighted that the Policies on FWAs in the Government, outlined in CSC Memorandum Circular (MC) 6, s. 2022, aims to establish adaptable and responsive work schemes for civil servants to ensure efficient governmental functions despite disruptive circumstances, such as worsening traffic in the metro.

He emphasized that FWA approval is at the discretion of the agency head, with the condition that stakeholders and clients receive continuous service delivery from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including lunch breaks, throughout the workweek.

“We must ensure the uninterrupted provision of efficient, prompt, and dependable public services, even with FWAs,” he added.

Under MC 6, government agencies can choose from six FWAs to provide support mechanisms for officials and employees.

Flexiplace allows officials or employees to work away from their office temporarily, including from home, a satellite office, or another fixed location, under the approval of the office/agency head.

The compressed workweek compresses the standard 40-hour workweek into four days or less, as applicable, while the skeleton workforce ensures minimum staffing in offices when full staffing isn’t feasible.

Work shifting applies to offices/agencies operating 24-hour service delivery or those needing to observe health and safety protocols.

Flexitime permits flexible working hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., provided the required 40-hour workweek is fulfilled.

Agencies can also combine FWAs based on their mandates/functions.

Agencies must develop guidelines for FWA adoption, covering tasks permitted outside the office, health and communication protocols, performance standards, monitoring mechanisms, and support provisions.

(el Amigo/MNM)