Objectives
- Achieve 10-20% measurable reductions (based on DOE target) in electricity, fuel, and operational costs without compromising the quality of education, research, community engagement, and administrative services.
- Promote work-life balance, sustainability awareness, and institutional resilience, in alignment with CHMSU’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and 13 (Climate Action) amid the global energy crisis.
Duration
This is a temporary arrangement effective March 10, 2026 (instead of March 9 to allow all office personnel and faculty sufficient time to prepare and adjust in their work and course plans). This applies across all four campuses and will continue until officially lifted by the President of the Republic. As part of the transition, all employees will work from home on Friday, March 13.
Workweek Structure
CHMSU will adhere to the standard 40-hour weekly requirement, compressed into four 10-hour workdays from Monday to Thursday, 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM daily (including a 1-hour break from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM).
- All staff (GASS, Casual, Job Orders) will report for on-campus duties Monday to Thursday only.
- Faculty members will follow their regular daily schedules Monday through Thursday. All Friday classes must shift to asynchronous or synchronous online delivery. Hybrid options are to be designed and made available for students with limited internet access, including pre-distributed printed modules and recorded lectures.
- Saturday classes in both undergrad and Advanced Education Programs will continue as regularly scheduled, whether in-person or online, to minimize disruptions for weekend learners.
- NSTP and community service engagements will proceed as originally planned.
- Meetings involving personnel across campuses will be conducted virtually.
- Office personnel are strongly discouraged from working overtime except in highly exceptional cases, which require prior approval from the Vice President for Administration and Finance and the University President.
- Personnel needing to voluntarily work in their offices on Fridays or Saturdays due to exigency of service may do so without overtime pay. However, the use of air conditioning units (ACUs) and non-essential lighting is strictly prohibited during these periods.
- All highly important institutional activities or events that need to be scheduled for Fridays or Saturdays require prior approval from the University President, through the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance.
- The ongoing admission exams in all campuses will continue as scheduled.
Energy Conservation Measures
To maximize energy savings, all employees must strictly observe the following:
- Lighting: Maximize the use of natural daylight. Switch off all lights along hallways and corridors during daylight hours. Minimize office lights to only essential work areas.
- Air Conditioning Units (ACUs): Operate ACUs strictly from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM only. Set thermostats to a minimum of 24°C. On mild or windy days, open office windows and use electric fans instead of ACUs.
- University Vehicle: Limit use to highly essential travels only, such as emergency medical transport, critical supply procurement, or unavoidable official duties.
- Office heads and supervisors are encouraged to implement additional practical measures at their level to conserve energy and advance the university’s green culture. These include proper waste segregation; eliminating single-use plastics; promoting bring-your-own (BYO) practices for utensils, bags, and containers; and unplugging appliances and office equipment after work hours.
