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Neil Jayson Servallos - The Philippine Star
April 14, 2026 | 12:00am
Senator Imee Marcos answers questions from the media during a press briefing at the Senate in Pasay City on February 25, 2026.
STAR / Ryan Baldemor
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Imee Marcos yesterday criticized the Department of Energy (DOE) for implementing a two-day onsite workweek despite the country’s ongoing energy and fuel crisis.
During a Senate PRO TECT committee hearing, Marcos criticized a DOE order that limits physical reporting to only 50 percent of its workforce.
Under the order, the energy department has adopted a hybrid work arrangement as part of its energy-saving measures amid the fuel crisis.
Onsite reporting was reduced from five days to two, with the remaining work days shifted to a work-from home setup.
Marcos pointed out that this contradicts Malacañang’s directive requiring a four-day onsite work arrangement across government agencies.
The senator also argued that the hybrid schedule creates bureaucratic bottlenecks, leaving stakeholders without authorized officials to physically sign critical permits and contracts.
“I think that this memo that the lead agency will work a mere two days a week in the face of this crisis is reprehensible and incomprehensible,” Marcos said.
“It is really unbelievable that while the public is already struggling, the DOE seems unconcerned and is practically on vacation,” she added in Filipino.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin pushed back against the allegations, explaining that the remote setup was implemented to help save electricity and has not stalled agency operations.
She noted that applica tions are continuously processed through the department’s online systems.
“We are not on vacation, Mr. Chair. We work very, very hard,” Garin told the panel.
“It’s not stopping the work. Our efficiency is even higher now despite the fact that we are WFH… We are doing everything on time. If there are applications, our frontliners are there,” she added.
Marcos rebuffed the explanation and urged the en ergy department to recall its memo and comply with the President’s four-day onsite work directive amid mounting complaints from the oil sector
