Agimat Rep. Revilla pushes for work-from-home expansion amid Edsa repair
Rep. Bryan Revilla – Photo by AGIMAT Party-list
MANILA, Philippines – “Time lost in traffic is time taken away from Filipino families.”
This was the heartfelt appeal of Agimat Party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla as he filed a bill seeking to expand the country’s telecommuting law.
With major rehabilitation projects looming for Edsa—the capital’s busiest thoroughfare—Revilla is pushing for a timely legislative solution: amending Republic Act No. 11165, or the Telecommuting Act, to make remote work not just an option for private sector employees but for government workers as well.
“Time wasted in traffic could have been time spent with family,” the solon said, lamenting the hours spent idling in gridlock—time that could be spent at home with loved ones.
READ: Worries over Edsa jam spur calls for more preps
Under his proposed measure, output-based employees in both the private and public sectors—whose physical presence is not essential—would be allowed to work from home. This comes as the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) prepares to roll out an odd-even vehicle scheme to ease congestion during Edsa’s much-needed repair.
Revilla stressed that the success of telecommuting during the COVID-19 pandemic showed its potential as a long-term solution to Metro Manila’s chronic traffic problems.
“The pandemic forced us into this setup, and it worked. Why not continue and improve it?” he said.
The lawmaker, who also serves as Assistant Majority Leader, underscored that the proposal isn’t just about convenience—it’s about giving back precious time to Filipino families, reducing daily stress, and making way for infrastructure upgrades.
He also urged the national government to ramp up efforts to improve public transportation, particularly by adding more trains and exploring alternative transport solutions for workers who still need to be physically present.
“In policy decisions as consequential as the odd-even scheme and the return of NCAP [No Contact Apprehension Policy], the interests of the Filipino must prevail,” Revilla asserted.
As Metro Manila braces for the growing pains of road repair and mobility reform, Revilla’s call offers a timely reminder: in solving the traffic crisis, it’s not just about roads and cars—it’s about people, families, and the time that matters most.
