Contemplates Introducing 15-Minute Paid Breaks in Mandaue for a Fee
Mandaue City Steps Up to Battle Extreme Weather: A Game Changer in Worker Protection
In light of the soaring temperatures and the looming threat of heat-related ailments, Mandaue City is pondering a groundbreaking city ordinance. This ordinance aims to grant all City Hall outdoor staffers two 15-minute paid rest breaks during periods of intense heat or heavy downpours.
This pioneering proposal has been put forth by Councilor Jennifer Del Mar, backed by Councilors Dante Borja and Fleuritz Gayle Jumao-as. The draft ordinance saw the light of day on April 30, 2025, and was discussed in the City Council's session on May 5. It was green-lit during the first reading.
Del Mar stated that the measure is a response to a report by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) revealing Mandaue City reached a heat index of 38°C on April 8 - a concerning figure that places outdoor workers at risk of exhaustion or even heat stroke.
The sweltering heat has also been observed to impact personnel working outdoors, such as traffic enforcers, clean and green maintenance workers, members of the Janitorial and Security Services Unit (JASSU) and Housing and Urban Development Office (HUDO), as well as surveyors and tax mappers.
Recognizing these challenges, Del Mar highlighted the necessity of these mandatory breaks. "With temperatures reaching 40 degrees, it's not easy to work under such conditions, and it's a real health hazard", Del Mar explained in a mix of Cebuano and English.
Under this proposal, outdoor workers will be entitled to one 15-minute break in the morning and another in the afternoon when extreme weather conditions arise. extreme heat is defined as a heat index of 35°C or higher, while extreme rain refers to rainfall exceeding 7.5 millimeters. These breaks must be taken in shaded or air-conditioned areas and will be considered part of the official working hours.
The ordinance will not only apply during the dry season but also during the rainy weather, where outdoor work could become hazardous due to flooding and slippery conditions. The objective is to ensure that workers continue to adhere to the mandatory 40-hour workweek, while being flexible in scheduling to prioritize their safety.
The Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) will be responsible for enforcing the ordinance and will be empowered to adopt flexible work arrangements, in accordance with Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 06, series of 2022. The HRMO will also collaborate with the City Health Office and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to issue weather advisories, conduct trainings, and formulate schedules that avoid the hottest times of the day based on Pagasa data.
Rest breaks may be suspended in exceptional situations demanding continuous service, but must be granted once the situation normalizes. This proposed policy applies to all field personnel regardless of their employment status, whether regular, temporary, contractual, or coterminous.
Upon enactment, the ordinance will become effective 15 days after its publication, as stipulated under the Local Government Code of 1991. Failure to comply with the rules may lead to administrative or criminal penalties as outlined in Republic Act No. 6713, which governs ethical conduct in public service. If enacted, this ordinance will mark a significant step in establishing mandatory climate-adaptive labor protections in the region.
- The extreme weather conditions, particularly high temperatures, pose a significant health risk for workers in Mandaue City, including traffic enforcers, clean and green maintenance workers, members of the Janitorial and Security Services Unit (JASSU) and Housing and Urban Development Office (HUDO), as well as surveyors and tax mappers.
- The proposed city ordinance aims to protect outdoor workers by granting them two 15-minute paid rest breaks during periods of intense heat or heavy downpours, as discussed in the City Council's session on May 5.
- Councilor Jennifer Del Mar, backed by Councilors Dante Borja and Fleuritz Gayle Jumao-as, has put forth this ordinance in response to a report by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) revealing Mandaue City reached a heat index of 38°C on April 8.
- The ordinance, which was green-lit during the first reading, will not only apply during the dry season but also during the rainy weather, where outdoor work could become hazardous due to flooding and slippery conditions.
- The Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) will be responsible for enforcing the ordinance and will collaborate with the City Health Office and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to issue weather advisories, conduct trainings, and formulate schedules that avoid the hottest times of the day based on Pagasa data.
- This proposed policy, upon enactment, will mark a significant step in establishing mandatory climate-adaptive labor protections in the region and will apply to all field personnel regardless of their employment status. If enacted, this ordinance will also serve as a model for workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness initiatives, including mental health considerations, in similar contexts.
