The Philippines Welcomes DST during Dry Season
By Sara Kornberg and Mathew Gundersen. Published 3-Sep-2024
The House Committee of the Philippines has approved a Daylight Saving Time bill to improve productivity. However, it needs the president’s approval to take effect.
The extra daylight hours saved through DST can be used to offset lost productivity in the latter half of the year when heavy rains disrupt school schedules and workdays.
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DST First Half of the Year
On August 27, 2024, House Bill No. 7750, also known as the Daylight Saving Time Act of 2013, was approved by the Congress of the Philippines.
The bill empowers President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. to implement DST every year from January 1 to June 1.
The proposed policy is a preventive measure against productivity loss caused by floods during the rainy season. By adjusting Philippine Standard Time (PST) by one hour forward during the first six months, the bill aims to take advantage of the extra daylight hours.
The Effect of Global Warming
“Both the labor and the educational sector are suffering from interruptions in the productive hours brought about by torrential rains and the consequent floodings during the rainy season,” the bill states.
“The State recognizes the effects of global warming and climate change on the weather systems (...) which substantially interrupt the students' schooling as well as the workers productive hours [sic]," it added.
“The extra daylight hours saved through DST can be used to offset lost productivity in the latter half of the year when heavy rains disrupt school schedules and workdays.”
Only Country in ASEAN
There have been several short periods when DST was used in the country: in 1936-1937, 1954, 1978, and 1990.
No other country in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), such as Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam, observes DST.