MANILA -- The Office of the President has issued Memorandum Circular No. 96, entitled, “Required On-Site WorkForce in Government Agencies and Instrumentalities Under the Alert Level System,” to ensure that government agencies and instrumentalities remain fully operational regardless of the alert level of the area where they are located.

The latest Memorandum Circular asserts that under Alert Level 1, all agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall adhere to 100% on-site workforce.

This issuance is consistent with the de-escalation of certain areas in the country to Alert Level 1, and the release of an updated Alert Level System Guidelines.

Memorandum Circular No. 96 further states that under Alert Level 2, all agencies and instrumentalities must adhere to at least 80% on-site workforce. Under Alert Level 3, at least 60% on-site workforce. Under Alert Level 4, at least 40% on-site workforce. Under Alert Level 5, skeleton workforce on-site and the remainder under alternative work arrangements as approved by the head of the agency unless a greater on-site capacity is required in agencies providing health and emergency frontline services, laboratory and testing services, border control, or other critical services.

The aforesaid issuance is intended to balance health considerations and the continuous delivery of public services, consistent with the updated Alert Level System. (OPS)