PROVIDING FOR ADJUSTED OFFICIAL WORKING HOURS IN ALL DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, OFFICES AND OTHER AGENCIES UNDER THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR…

WHEREAS,
tourism has been identified as one of the largest contributors to the
country’s gross domestic product and a major contributor to the growth
and development of the national economy;

WHEREAS,
knowledge and awareness on the part of our citizens of our country’s
various natural, historical and cultural heritage can make a significant
contribution to the nation’s goals of national unity and
socio-economic, cultural and educational development;

WHEREAS,
as front liners in the public service, government employees could best
encourage the promotion of domestic tourism by imparting their own
experiences to the public;

WHEREAS,
to enable government employees to visit the various domestic tourism
destinations in the country and for them to convey the knowledge and
experience they have gained during their travels, the Secretary of the
Department of Tourism recommends the adjustment of their official
working hours during specific regular working days of the week in the
summertime.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1.   During
the months of April and May of the year 2002, employees of all
departments, bureaus, offices and other agencies under the executive
branch of the government, including government-owned or controlled
corporations, shall have the option not to report for work on Mondays or
on Fridays provided that during said period:

(a)        such employees shall report for work four (4) consecutive days of each workweek, except on holidays;

(b)        such
employees shall render not less than ten (10) hours of work a day,
exclusive of meal periods, either from Tuesday to Friday or from Monday
to Thursday of each workweek, except on holidays; and

(c)        the
head of the concerned department, bureau, office, agency or
government-owned or controlled corporation shall ensure that at least
half of its workforce shall report for work on Mondays and the other
half on Fridays to assure the efficient delivery of basic governmental
services to the public.  The concerned department,
bureau, office, agency or government-owned or controlled corporation
must have a full or complete workforce on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and
Thursdays.

SECTION 2.   This Administrative Order shall not cover the Armed Forces of the Philippines,
the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, government
hospitals and health centers and other government agencies involved in
providing health, safety, police, security, protection and other
emergency services.

SECTION 3.   All
concerned departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and government-owned
or controlled corporations are directed to promulgate the appropriate
rules and regulations for the efficient implementation of this
Administrative Order.

SECTION 4.   The
Department of Budget and Management is hereby directed to issue the
necessary guidelines, rules and regulations to provide for adjustments
in the wages or compensation, including PERA, ADCOM and payment for
overtime services, of government employees affected by the
implementation of this Administrative Order.

SECTION 5.   The
legislative and judicial branches of the government, the constitutional
commissions and the private sector are encouraged to adopt the above
mentioned official working hours during the months of April and May of
the year 2002.

SECTION 6.   This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately upon approval.

Adopted: 18 March 2002

By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary