The House committee on economic affairs has approved House Bill 7750, known as the proposed Daylight Saving Time Act, which would allow the president to advance the Philippine Standard Time (PST) by one hour during the first six months of the year to enhance productivity.
Authored by Parañaque Representative Edwin Olivarez, the bill aims to address the loss of productive hours in the labor and educational sectors due to frequent heavy rains and flooding during the rainy season, which are intensified by climate change.
According to the bill’s explanatory note, these disruptions not only reduce school days and academic hours for children but also hamper the productivity of workers who face challenges commuting during adverse weather conditions. To mitigate this impact, the bill proposes adjusting the PST during the dry season to maximize daylight hours and improve overall efficiency.