Manila, March 26 -- Malacanang on Thursday assured the public that essential government services, including health, police, fire and emergency response operations, will remain fully operational despite energy conservation measures being implemented by the government amid the Middle East crisis that severely affected the global oil supply chain.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said agencies delivering frontline services are not covered by the four-day onsite work arrangement aimed at reducing energy consumption.

"The language of the President's order is clear: Agencies that provide frontline services shall keep their services running at all times," Recto said in a statement.

He stressed that the "overriding rule" is that "essential, bas...