How many hours have you lost to traffic on your daily commute to the office? That soon could be a thing of the past as Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva urges the private sector to adopt flexible working hours. This proposal aims to alleviate the economic strain caused by severe traffic.
Villanueva highlighted the necessity of flexible work arrangements, suggesting that “companies and employees should be allowed to arrange flexible work arrangements instead of having employees report physically in the office every day and losing working hours due to traffic.”
The Civil Service Commission previously endorsed similar strategies for government agencies in Metro Manila.
According to a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Philippines could incur potential economic losses of up to P6 billion daily by 2030 if the traffic situation is not addressed.
In response to these concerns, Villanueva pushed the “Work-from-Home Law” at the 17th Congress and continued his advocacy by filing Senate Resolution No. 859. The resolution calls upon agencies such as the Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to reevaluate their strategies for reducing traffic congestion.
Moreover, Villanueva emphasized the importance of considering the gradual transition of public buses to electric vehicles, which could significantly improve commuter convenience and reduce the environmental impact of traffic jams.
The Management Association of the Philippines echoed these sentiments and recently recommended declaring a “state of traffic calamity” in Metro Manila at a House of Representatives hearing. The association also supports electric buses operating on the EDSA busway.
