THE House of Representatives has adopted a wide-ranging set of cost-cutting initiatives and modified work arrangements to streamline operations, reduce non-essential spending and promote more efficient use of public resources.
In a memorandum dated March 12, it directs all offices to implement the measures in line with Malacañang’s fiscal discipline policy.
“In line with the Office of the President Memorandum Circular No. 114 dated 6 March 2026, the House of Representatives shall adopt the following modified work arrangements and guidelines to streamline operations, reduce non-essential expenditures, and optimize the use of public resources,” the memorandum said.
The initiative is being carried out by the House leadership as part of broader government efforts to promote prudent spending while ensuring that public services remain uninterrupted.
The measures include modified work arrangements, restrictions on travel and meetings, tighter management of electricity and equipment use, transportation and fuel conservation policies, and expanded digitalization of documents and internal processes.
Under the new work setup, offices will adopt a hybrid work arrangement during both recess and session periods. During recess, personnel will report on-site on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and work from home (WFH) on Mondays and Thursdays.
For session periods, the House will maintain a stronger on-site presence to support legislative work, with personnel reporting on-site from Monday to Wednesday and working from home on Thursdays.
The adjusted work setup, according to the memorandum, should not disrupt the delivery of services to lawmakers, employees and the public.
All offices are directed to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of services by providing their contact details, including mobile numbers and email addresses.
These contact details should be made publicly available and posted on the House of Representatives website, official Facebook account, and the HRep Viber Group, particularly during work-from-home (WFH) days to ensure continuous communication and accessibility.
Certain operational units—including the Engineering and Physical Facilities Department, Medical and Dental Service, Records Management Service and the Legislative Security Bureau—are required to maintain a skeletal workforce on-site during WFH days to ensure continuous operations.
Employees who need to report to the office during WFH days must first secure prior approval from the Office of the Secretary General, the memorandum stated.
The memorandum also imposes tighter controls on official travel and meetings to cut operational costs.
Energy conservation measures form a major part of the initiative.
Air-conditioning units may only be turned on at 8:00 A.M. and must be turned off at 6:00 P.M., except in essential areas such as the Session Hall during session days. Thermostat settings shall also be standardized at 24°C.
Lighting and electricity consumption will likewise be closely managed, with natural lighting maximized where sufficient daylight is available and lights in restrooms, meeting rooms and workspaces required to be turned off when not in use.
Computers and other office equipment will also follow stricter energy-saving protocols, including automatic monitor shutoff after five minutes of inactivity and limiting printing to essential documents while encouraging electronic circulation of files.
Transportation and fuel conservation measures are also part of the policy, including a strict no-idling rule for vehicles within House premises, the temporary suspension of requests for official House vehicles and the promotion of carpooling and alternative mobility such as bike racks.
Beyond the immediate cost-saving measures, the House will pursue longer-term investments to improve energy efficiency and sustainability across its facilities.
“The institution shall pursue long-term investments in energy-efficient technologies, including the installation of solar panels and adoption of net metering systems,” the memorandum states.
“Lighting systems shall transition to high-efficiency LED fixtures, and inverter-type air-conditioning units shall be prioritized.”
The said offices will designate energy efficiency officers or “Green Teams” to monitor compliance and recommend additional strategies to strengthen cost-cutting efforts.
The Executive Committee will also meet regularly to assess the impact of the measures and consider further initiatives to improve efficiency across the institution.
