Calls have been made for broader adoption of remote work arrangements in sectors that can accommodate them as a strategy to mitigate rising fuel costs amid tensions in the Middle East.
On Wednesday, March 4, automotive journalist James Deakin suggested that the country should “consider bringing back WFH (work from home) during this fuel crisis,” even if only in a hybrid setup.
His post has garnered 24,000 likes and reactions, 3,100 shares, and over 700 comments from users, who expressed agreement with his sentiments.
Deakin elaborated on his post in another status, highlighting the existence of Republic Act 11165 or the Philippine Telecommunicating Act.
“While Congress debates emergency powers and four day work weeks, maybe the answer to rising gas prices has been at home the whole time,” he said on Wednesday.
“It gives private sector employers the full legal framework to offer flexible, work-from-home arrangements for roles that can. Equal pay, equal benefits, nothing new required,” Deakin added.
“Every employee who doesn’t have to commute is one less family doing the math at the pump. Every car that stays in the garage is one less household absorbing P8 to P9 a liter in cumulative increases this year alone,” he said.
Deakin added that stronger implementation of the law would help workers reduce commuting and travel costs, as well as expenses on food and other necessities.
“If you really want to do something that has an immediate effect without jumping through legal hoops, this one is a home run,” Deakin said.
Other users expressed similar views following reports that Malacañang is studying the four-day workweek proposed by Sen. Win Gatchalian.
The senator said the plan would allow a one-day work-from-home, with the remaining days are on-site, as part of efforts to conserve energy.
Some Filipinos also suggested broader adoption of remote work in sectors that can accommodate it as a measure to ease the impact of rising fuel prices.
“Malaking tulong ang WFH, bawas gastos, bawas traffic,” an online user wrote.
“The easiest to implement is to mandate remote work temporarily for those who can,” another commented, adding that a four-day work week can be a “challenge in implementation” because of “downstream implications.”
“WFH if possible for those who can. Less gas, more electricity nga lang,” a different Pinoy said.
“If not a four-day work week, I think it’s better to push for the work-from-home arrangement. Employees may just report to the office for [three] days and [two] days WFH. At least there will be lesser chance that employers abuse the 48 hours work hours too,” another wrote.
“I appreciate the hybrid setup. For now, please return us to temporary work-from-home arrangements and suspend the implementation of the onsite policy at McKinley,” commented a different Pinoy.
“Yes, government should introduce this to private companies para less consumption and we conserve petrol usage,” another said.
“They should. People can work remotely — this was done naman during the pandemic, so why not enforce the same thing,” another wrote.
As of Tuesday, March 3, local fuel prices have risen by more than P1 per liter. Diesel increased by P1.20 per liter, gasoline by P1.90, and kerosene by P1.50 per liter.
Victory Liner has announced fuel-saving measures for its trips, including turning off bus engines and air conditioning during stopovers.
ALSO READ: Victory Liner rolls out fuel-saving measures on trips amid Middle East tensions
Fuel prices amid conflict
Fuel prices are expected to rose further due to the conflict in the Middle East, as the United States and Israel carry out military strikes against Iran.
Reports indicate that from March 2 to 3, the global price of imported petroleum increased, with diesel up by P12 per liter, gasoline by P6 per liter, and kerosene by P13 per liter.
The figures do not yet include the anticipated risk premium costs related to the conflict, which are also expected to push prices higher.
The expected rise in fuel prices is partly due to Iran restricting vessels from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway in the country’s south.
Approximately 20% of the world’s gas and oil shipments pass through the strait, making it one of the busiest and most strategically important shipping routes globally.
An expert on renewable energy and development noted that “about 13 million barrels of oil per day normally move” through the strait, accounting for “about 31% of global oil shipments.”
“Blocking passage through the strait will certainly affect world oil prices. Even a short-lived closure of parts of the strait in February 2025 led to a six per cent jump in the price of oil,” Warren Mabee, director of Queen’s Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy at Queen’s University, said in an article.
“Closure of the strait affects major ports belonging to Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Iran itself. For several of these countries, the strait is the primary route through which oil reaches global markets,” he added.
The conflict includes US and Israel attacking Iran, with the US saying that the move was to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and eliminating “imminent threat.”
Reports also state that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed US President Donald Trump to strike a blow against Iran’s theocratic government.
