The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will roll out a nationwide pilot implementation of Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) starting January 5, 2026, as part of its continuing efforts to improve operational efficiency, promote environmental sustainability, and enhance public access to government services.
Under the pilot program, DENR personnel will be placed under one of two flexible work arrangements based on the nature of their duties, while continuing to comply with the required 40 working hours per week. The initiative is designed to help address long daily commutes, ease traffic congestion, and reduce energy consumption, without compromising the delivery of efficient, reliable, and uninterrupted public service.
In a news release, the DENR said it expects the pilot implementation to contribute to reduced traffic volume, lower electricity and water consumption in offices, and decreased fuel use. It also encourages the expanded use of digital platforms and alternative service channels, enabling clients to transact with the DENR more conveniently even without physical office visits.
The Department assures the public that frontline services and essential operations will remain fully accessible on-site from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Thursday. Offices and units that require daily on-site presence, such as those handling animal care and similar functions, will continue to operate under their existing work schedules.
The pilot implementation will run until March 27, 2026, and will cover all DENR offices nationwide, including the Central Office, regional and provincial offices, and line bureaus such as the Environmental Management Bureau and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
Throughout the pilot period, the DENR will closely monitor and evaluate the program’s impact on employee performance and productivity, quality of service delivery, energy savings, and client satisfaction. The results of the assessment will guide the Department’s decision on whether to fully adopt the flexible work arrangements on a permanent basis.
The initiative is guided by DENR Administrative Order No. 2025-34 and is aligned with policies issued by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), as well as joint circulars from the Commission on Audit and the Department of Budget and Management.
In 2022, the CSC issued Memorandum Circular No. 06, s. 2022, encouraging government agencies to adopt flexible work arrangements to promote efficient and effective public service delivery while safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of government employees. Since then, several national government agencies and local government units have issued their respective guidelines, including the Department of Education (DepEd Order No. 004, s. 2025), Department of Energy (Department Order No. DO2023-01-0005), Department of Finance (Department Order 044-2024), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (Administrative Order No. 11, s. 2024), among others.
Local government units such as the Province of Cavite, Northern Samar, Bayambang in Pangasinan, and San Fernando City in Pampanga, and others have likewise implemented similar measures, particularly in response to rising temperatures and climate-related challenges.
The CSC itself adopted hybrid work arrangements across its offices nationwide in August 2024.
Through this pilot program, the DENR hopes to foster a more productive, resilient, and people-centered public service while contributing to broader national efforts to ease congestion and promote environmental sustainability.