The Commission on Elections will continue its remote work policy on Mondays throughout May to support national energy conservation efforts.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially extended its remote work arrangement for all staff, keeping office doors closed every Monday throughout the month of May.
This policy shift, which mandates that employees work from home at the start of each week, is a direct response to the ongoing State of National Energy Emergency that remains in effect across the country.
By scaling back on-site operations, the agency aims to align with broader national directives focused on cutting down power consumption during a period of high energy demand.
This decision highlights the government’s struggle to balance essential public services with the urgent need to manage national utility constraints during a declared energy crisis.
Under the new schedule, both the main and regional field offices will be physically closed on May 4, 11, and 25. Regular transactions, including voter registration and requests for certifications, are now restricted to a Tuesday-through-Saturday window, running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
However, the commission has carved out an important exception for the middle of the month to ensure election-related tasks remain on track. The remote work mandate will be suspended on May 18, 2026, to accommodate the final day of the current voter registration cycle.
All offices will be fully staffed and open for business on that specific Monday to manage the expected influx of citizens completing their registration requirements before the deadline. This follows the agency’s previous rollout of similar Monday closures implemented throughout the month of April.
Misryoum notes that while these measures are aimed at energy efficiency, they represent a recurring operational adjustment as the commission navigates the logistical challenges of keeping voter services accessible while adhering to resource-saving government mandates.
Consistency in service delivery remains a primary concern for the public, who must now adapt their personal schedules to align with these mid-week office hours rather than the traditional five-day work week.
Understanding these shifting operational windows is essential for citizens planning to visit polling or registration offices, as the inconsistent scheduling underscores the difficulty of maintaining administrative continuity during a national emergency.