Question & AnswerQ&A (GENERAL ORDER NO. 30)
The staggered working hours apply to the Cities of Pasay, Manila, Quezon City, and Caloocan; the Municipalities of Las Piñas, Parañaque, Makati, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Marikina, Malabon, and Navotas in the province of Rizal; and the Municipality of Valenzuela in the province of Bulacan, Metropolitan Manila Area.
The Secretary of Labor is charged with enforcing the provisions of the order for the private sector, while the Executive Secretary is responsible for enforcement concerning government offices.
Industries, factories, and plants with one work shift must work from either 5:00 or 6:00 A.M. until 2:00 or 3:00 P.M.
Public and private offices are to operate in two shifts: First shift from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., and second shift from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., with the workforce divided equally between the two shifts.
Yes, exemptions include military and other government relief and rehabilitation operations, public and private markets, food terminals, supermarkets, restaurants, slaughterhouses, hospitals, clinics, drug stores, banks, public transport utilities, media and security agencies, fire departments, law enforcement agencies, amusement places, and churches and related establishments.
The revised schedule of working hours took effect on June 18, 1973, except on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
The first shift is from 6:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M., and the second shift is from 2:30 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.
Morning classes are scheduled from 7:00 or 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon; afternoon classes from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 or 5:00 P.M.; and evening classes from 4:00 or 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
By restructuring work schedules to stagger working hours, the order helps distribute demand for public transport, water, power, and other resources more evenly throughout the day, which maximizes utilization of time, space, facilities, and resources to support economic development with minimal inconvenience to the population.