In response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine government authorized companies to be on flexible work arrangements (FWAs), which include telecommuting and remote work, as viable options to continue business operations. 

In 2022, the Philippine government, through the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) will be allowing PEZA enterprises who wish to remain on a 70-30 onsite-WFH setup only until 12 September 2022. In other words, beyond this date, PEZA enterprises who wish to continue enjoying fiscal incentives must be on full return-to-office setup. 

This directive contradicts prevailing employee sentiments preferring telecommuting as a viable means of being able to continue productive work, while maintaining work-life balance and employee engagement. This directive also adversely affects PEZA enterprises who will be constrained to require its employees to return-to-office, as it will drive attrition increase for employees who wish to remain on WFH status. 

We, the undersigned Human Resources Management professionals, exhort the incoming administration to allow full implementation of the Telecommuting Law, and allow enterprises, both within and without PEZA zones, to continue offering work-from-home setup as a means to achieve the following outcomes that are consistent with UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as AmbisyonNatin 2040, while allowing eligible enterprises to continue enjoying fiscal incentives under applicable laws: 

1. Higher employee satisfaction due to better work-life balance and integration; 

2. Better employee and organizational productivity due to happier and more engaged employees; and 

3. Lessened carbon footprint of individuals, families, and organizations.