CSC MC No. 16, s. 2024, the Revised Dress Code for Government Officials and Employees, requires ASEAN-inspired attire on the first Monday of the month and Filipiniana-inspired attire on the second to fourth Mondays.
From Tuesday to Friday, employees wear the agency-prescribed office uniform. On days without a uniform, they wear smart casual attire.
The dress code has been in effect since December 8, 2024, and covers all government officials and employees in NGAs, LGUs, GOCCs with original charters, and SUCs, regardless of employment status.
This complete guide explains the CSC dress code for government employees, including the official attire schedule, smart casual examples, the list of prohibited attire, gender-inclusive provisions, exemptions, penalties, and the uniform allowance fund sources.
You will also find answers to common questions on ripped jeans, sleeveless tops, open-toe footwear, flexiplace, virtual meetings, and Job Order workers.
What Is the Revised Dress Code (CSC MC No. 16, s. 2024)?
- Revised Dress Code for Government Officials and Employees
- Adopted through CSC Resolution No. 2400766 (29 August 2024)
- Circular dated 29 November 2024; effective 8 December 2024
- Signed by CSC Chairperson Atty. Marilyn B. Barua-Yap
- Repeals CSC MC No. 18, s. 1997 and MC No. 19, s. 2000
MC No. 16, s. 2024 is the CSC’s updated rule on what government officials and employees wear when performing official functions, inside and outside office premises.
The CSC, as the central personnel agency, is mandated to develop policies, standards, and programs that promote morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness, and courtesy in the civil service.
It upholds the importance of instilling a sense of pride and identity among government workers, which can be shown by wearing proper attire when performing official functions.
Why Was the Dress Code Revised?
The circular explains that the existing rules needed updating to conform to emerging trends and social issues such as gender discrimination, disability, and social inclusion, and to align with pertinent laws and policies. It traces these earlier issuances:
- CSC Resolution No. 973334 (7 July 1997) authorized heads of NGAs, LGUs, GOCCs with original charters, and SUCs to issue their own rules on proper attire or uniform, subject to CSC MC No. 14, s. 1991.
- CSC Resolution No. 002515 (31 October 2000) and CSC MC No. 19, s. 2000 institutionalized the wearing of “Filipiniana” attire every Monday and the Gender Advocacy program of the CSC.
- RA No. 9242 (Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law, 2004) prescribes locally sourced Philippine tropical fabrics for official uniforms. Its Amended IRR was approved on 14 July 2023 and circularized through CSC MC No. 7, s. 2023.
- CSC-DOH-DOLE Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2020 sets the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards for the Public Sector.
- CSC MC No. 6, s. 2022 (CSC Resolution No. 2200209, 18 May 2022) adopted the Policies on Flexible Work Arrangements in the Government.
Objectives
- Guide agencies in prescribing the dress code, onsite or flexible work
- Address gender discrimination: attire that conforms to sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression
- Enhance employee engagement, morale, and productivity
General objective: To update the rules and regulations on the appropriate dress code for government officials and employees when performing official functions inside and outside the office premises, in order to adapt to emerging needs and social issues and to harmonize with policies pertinent to the performance of duties and functions.
Specific objectives:
- To serve as a guide for government agencies in prescribing the dress code for officials and employees, whether working onsite or under flexible working arrangements;
- To address issues of gender discrimination in the workplace by allowing officials and employees to wear appropriate office attire that conforms to their sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression; and
- To enhance employee engagement leading to heightened employee morale and increased productivity.
Key Definitions in the Circular
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| Term | Definition under the circular |
|---|---|
| ASEAN-inspired | Clothing influenced by the traditional clothing of ASEAN member-states, including the Philippines |
| Cisgender | A person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex the person was identified as having at birth |
| Employment status | The status of appointment: permanent, temporary, substitute, coterminous, fixed term, contractual, casual, or provisional |
| Excessive jewelry | An unusually large amount of jewelry, or jewelry perceived as too flashy, ostentatious, or overwhelming for the occasion, outfit, or personal style |
| Filipiniana-inspired | Clothing influenced by traditional Filipino clothing that embodies the culture, customs, and heritage of the Filipino people. Examples: pantsuits, blazers, and dresses made from indigenous fabrics, adorned with intricate embroidery and unique details |
| Gender identity | A person’s internal sense of being male, female, some combination of both, or neither |
| Gender expression | The physical and behavioral manifestations of one’s gender identity, e.g., name, pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics |
| Heavy theatrical makeup | Makeup designed for stage performances or dramatic presentations, meant to create highly visible, exaggerated facial features seen from a distance; bold and intense |
| Occupational Safety and Health Standards | Rules, guidelines, and measures for the prevention and control of occupational hazards to safeguard workers’ well-being, safety, and health |
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | Protective equipment and clothing for eyes, face, hands, and feet, such as overalls, head covering, goggles, gloves, aprons, respirators, safety belt/harness, and protective shields, where hazards exist |
| Smart casual attire | Well-fitting, neat, appropriate pieces slightly less formal than business casual, but more elevated than off-hours wear; avoids items that are too casual or loose-fitting |
| Transgender | A person whose gender identity differs from the sex the person was identified as having at birth |
| Workplace | The office, premises, or work site where workers are habitually employed, including the place where workers with no fixed work site regularly report for assignment |
Who Is Covered by the Revised Dress Code?
- All government officials and employees
- Regardless of employment status, appointive or elective
- Constitutional bodies, NGAs, LGUs, GOCCs with original charters, and SUCs
- COS and JO workers: may be included by agency heads in internal guidelines
The Revised Dress Code applies to all government officials and employees, regardless of employment status, whether appointive or elective, in all government agencies and instrumentalities, namely:
- Constitutional bodies;
- Departments, bureaus, and agencies of the national government (NGAs);
- Government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) with original charters;
- Local government units (LGUs); and
- State universities and colleges (SUCs).
Agency heads may include Contract of Service (COS) and Job Order (JO) workers in their agency’s internal dress code guidelines. Coverage of COS and JO workers is therefore up to each agency.
What to Wear: Official Attire Schedule
- 1st Monday: ASEAN-inspired attire
- 2nd to 4th Monday: Filipiniana-inspired attire
- Tuesday to Friday: agency-prescribed office uniform
- Days without a uniform: smart casual attire
- ARTA ID is part of the uniform
The table below summarizes the official attire schedule of government officials and employees.
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| Working day | Official attire |
|---|---|
| Monday: First | ASEAN-inspired |
| Monday: Second to Fourth | Filipiniana-inspired |
| Tuesday to Friday | Agency-prescribed office uniform for the day |
| Days without agency-prescribed office uniform | Smart casual attire |
The official attire of government officials and employees includes the Filipiniana-inspired attire, ASEAN-inspired attire, and the agency-prescribed office uniform, including smart casual attire. It is worn according to this schedule:
A note on the fifth Monday: The circular’s table lists only the second to fourth Mondays as Filipiniana-inspired and does not separately address a fifth Monday. Follow your agency’s internal guidelines on that.
Agency-Prescribed Office Uniform
The uniform must be appropriate to the workplace and/or duties of the official or employee. For example, a long-sleeve polo with jacket or a blouse with blazer may suit offices with air conditioning and duties involving the processing or review of documents. A short-sleeve polo shirt or a blouse of light clothing material may suit employees doing coordinating tasks in open office space.
The Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) Identification Card forms part of the agency-prescribed office uniform, so officials and employees must wear their IDs during office hours or official duty. The uniform must also be approved by the agency head in consultation with all its officials and employees.
Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) Law
Under RA 9242 and its Amended IRR (CSC MC No. 7, s. 2023), the use of PTF is prescribed for official uniforms, either for the whole set or a part of it. It must not be used as a mere clothing embellishment or adornment. It is also prescribed for other purposes that require the use of fabrics in government offices and functions.
Occupational Safety and Health Standards
Agencies shall provide Personal Protective Equipment, in accordance with the OSHS as amended, to employees who are exposed to occupational hazards.
Smart Casual Attire and Flexiplace Work
- Tops: polo shirts, collared blouses, buttoned-down polo or long sleeves, blazers, jackets
- Bottoms: skirts (not shorter than one inch above the knee), slacks, or non-ripped, well-fitting maong
- Footwear: leather/rubber shoes or any appropriate enclosed shoes
- Same rule onsite and flexiplace
Where flexiplace is implemented, the official or employee must wear the required dress code. On days with no agency-prescribed office uniform, officials and employees wear smart casual attire for both onsite and flexiplace work arrangements. The circular gives this illustrative example:
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| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Tops | Polo shirts, blouses with collar, blouse/polo, buttoned-down polo, buttoned-down long sleeves, blazers, or jackets |
| Bottoms | Skirts (length should not be shorter than one inch above the knee), slacks, or maong pants (a pair of non-ripped and well-fitting jeans, not skin-tight or too baggy) |
| Footwear | Leather/rubber shoes or any appropriate enclosed shoes |
| Accessories | Headbands, turbans, necklaces, scarves, coats, and vests may be allowed |
Gender-Inclusive Dress Code Provisions
- Agencies must give the option to wear the uniform that suits one’s gender preference, identity, and/or expression
- Transgender employees may dress consistent with their preferred gender expression
- Cisgender women may choose skirts or pants
- Grooming rules only if a legitimate job requirement
This is the most talked-about part of the circular. It provides that:
- Government agencies shall provide officials and employees the option to wear the agency-prescribed uniform that suits their respective gender preferences, identities, and/or expression.
- Officials and employees who are transgender may be allowed to dress consistent with their preferred gender expression. In the same manner, cisgender women shall have the option to wear skirts or pants, whichever they are comfortable with.
- Grooming requirements, including hairstyle, haircut, or hair color, may only be prescribed when it is a legitimate requirement for the job, i.e., safety, professionalism, uniformity or branding, and client preferences.
- If it will not affect the performance of duties, the agency shall not compel officials and employees to comply with a dress code that prevents them from conforming to their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics.
- Beards, mustaches, tattoos, and facial or body piercings are governed by the internal rules of each agency or office, made in consultation with all its officials and employees.
Prohibited Attire for Government Employees
- Collarless T-shirt; sleeveless; sando, tank tops, tube tops, halters, strapless or spaghetti-strap blouses
- Over-plunging necklines; backless or plunged-back tops
- See-through, gauzy, transparent, or net-like clothing
- Leggings, above-the-knee skirt, shorts, cycling shorts, jogging pants
- Ripped jeans and short pants
- Sandals, slippers, and slip-ins exposing the toes
- Excessive jewelry and heavy theatrical makeup
Pursuant to Section 8, Rule VI of the Rules Implementing RA No. 6713, the wearing of the following is prohibited for all government officials and employees when performing official functions within the designated workplace and during virtual meetings:
- Collarless T-shirt
- Blouses with over-plunging necklines
- Backless top/plunged back top
- Sleeveless
- See-through clothing
- Gauzy, transparent, or net-like clothing
- Sando, tank-tops, tube tops, halters, and strapless or spaghetti-strap blouse (unless worn as an undershirt)
- Leggings, above-the-knee skirt, walking shorts, cycling shorts, and jogging pants (unless worn during official events involving physical exercise)
- Ripped jeans
- Short pants
- Sandals, slippers, and slip-ins exposing the toes
- Excessive jewelry, except for special occasions and during official celebrations
- Heavy or theatrical makeup, except for those engaged in the performing arts
- Other clothes or accessories analogous to the foregoing which are inappropriate while performing official duties and functions
An apparent tension in the text: The smart casual example allows skirts not shorter than one inch above the knee, while the prohibited list includes the “above-the-knee skirt.” Check how your agency’s internal guidelines clarify this.
Exemptions from the Dress Code
- Nature of work: police, fire, correction, jail, national mapping, medical and health, research and laboratory, field work
- Religion or creed; disability or health reasons
- Pregnant employees; employees in mourning
- Emergencies, calamity rehabilitation, inclement weather
- Written request to the agency head through the HRMO, 15 days prior if possible
- If approved, wear at least smart casual
The following exemptions may be allowed:
- When the nature of work demands clothing other than those prescribed, such as uniformed personnel in the police, fire, correction, jail, and national mapping services; medical and health personnel; research and laboratory personnel and technicians; and those performing field work;
- When religious affiliation or creed, or any legitimate practice related to it, requires a particular clothing;
- Physical disabilities and other legitimate health reasons of the employee;
- Pregnant female employees during the period of pregnancy;
- Employees in mourning due to the death of a family member;
- Emergency cases or rehabilitation efforts after a severe calamity or disaster, or inclement weather; and
- Other circumstances analogous to the foregoing.
How to Request an Exemption
An official or employee who cannot comply must file a written request for exemption with the agency head, through the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), at least fifteen (15) days prior or whenever possible. If the request is approved, the official or employee shall nevertheless report for work in at least smart casual attire.
Responsibilities of Agency Heads
- Adopt internal rules in consultation with employees within six (6) months from effectivity
- Decide on exemption requests; suspend the uniform during calamities or national/agency events
- Monitor strict compliance through the HRMO
- May cover COS and JO workers in internal guidelines
Agency heads shall:
- Upon consultation with the officials and employees, formulate and adopt internal rules and procedures on the implementation of the Revised Dress Code within six (6) months from the date of its effectivity;
- Evaluate and decide on requests for exemption filed by officials and employees, and declare the day or days when the wearing of the agency-prescribed uniform is suspended, in accordance with a national or local declaration of a state of calamity due to natural or man-made disaster in the area, or during the celebration or commemoration of national or agency events; and
- Monitor strict compliance by officials and employees, through the Human Resource Management Office, with the policy and related issuances.
Agency heads may include in their internal guidelines the dress code for Contract of Service and Job Order workers in their agencies.
When Did the Revised Dress Code Take Effect?
- Resolution No. 2400766 promulgated: 29 August 2024
- Published in The Philippine Star: 22 November 2024
- Circular dated: 29 November 2024
- Effectivity: 8 December 2024
- Agency internal rules due six months from effectivity (about June 2025)
The policy takes effect after fifteen (15) days from the completion of its publication in a newspaper of general circulation or the Official Gazette.
CSC Resolution No. 2400766 dated 29 August 2024 was published in The Philippine Star on 22 November 2024 and took effect on 8 December 2024.
Penalty for Violation and Uniform Allowance
- Violation is a ground for disciplinary action under civil service laws, rules, and regulations
- Yearly uniform or clothing allowance in the amount authorized by law
- NGAs and SUCs: agency budget
- GOCCs: corporate funds
- LGUs: local funds, subject to Sec. 325, RA 7160
Penalty
Any violation of the provisions of the Revised Dress Code shall be considered a ground for disciplinary action under civil service laws, rules, and regulations. The circular sets no specific penalty of its own, so the applicable offense and penalty depend on the facts and the CSC disciplinary rules.
Fund Sources for the Uniform or Clothing Allowance
Officials and employees shall be granted a uniform or clothing allowance per year in the amount authorized by law, subject to existing guidelines.
| Agency type | Fund source |
|---|---|
| NGAs and SUCs | Charged against the agency budget, as authorized under existing laws, rules, and regulations |
| GOCCs with original charter | Charged against their respective corporate funds |
| LGUs | Charged against their respective local funds, subject to Section 325 of RA No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) |
Legal Basis
- CSC MC No. 16, s. 2024 and CSC Resolution No. 2400766
- Sec. 8, Rule VI, IRR of RA 6713 (prohibited attire)
- RA 9242 and CSC MC No. 7, s. 2023 (Philippine Tropical Fabrics)
- Repealed: CSC MC No. 18, s. 1997 and CSC MC No. 19, s. 2000
- CSC Memorandum Circular No. 16, s. 2024 (Revised Dress Code for Government Officials and Employees)
- CSC Resolution No. 2400766 (29 August 2024)
- Section 8, Rule VI, Rules Implementing RA No. 6713
- RA No. 9242 (Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law) and CSC MC No. 7, s. 2023 (Amended IRR)
- CSC-DOH-DOLE Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2020 (OSH Standards for the Public Sector) and the Occupational Safety and Health Standards, as amended
- CSC MC No. 6, s. 2022 (Policies on Flexible Work Arrangements in the Government)
- RA No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991), Section 325
Repealed Issuances
- CSC Resolution No. 973334 dated 7 July 1997 (CSC MC No. 18, s. 1997), Dress Code
- CSC Resolution No. 002515 dated 31 October 2000 (CSC MC No. 19, s. 2000), Revised Dress Code Prescribed for All Government Officials and Employees in the Workplace
All other office memoranda, memorandum circulars, resolutions, rules, or regulations inconsistent with the Revised Dress Code are deemed repealed or modified accordingly. The circular also has a separability clause: if any provision is declared invalid, the rest remains in effect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What do government employees wear on Mondays?
Wear ASEAN-inspired attire on the first Monday of the month and Filipiniana-inspired attire on the second to fourth Mondays.
Is a uniform required from Tuesday to Friday?
Yes. Officials and employees wear the agency-prescribed office uniform for the day. If the agency has no uniform for a given day, smart casual attire is worn.
Are jeans allowed under the CSC dress code?
Yes, but only non-ripped, well-fitting maong pants (not skin-tight or too baggy) as part of smart casual attire. Ripped jeans are prohibited.
Are sleeveless tops allowed?
No. Sleeveless clothing, sando, tank tops, tube tops, halters, and strapless or spaghetti-strap blouses are prohibited, unless worn as an undershirt.
Can I wear sandals or slippers to work?
No. Sandals, slippers, and slip-ins that expose the toes are prohibited. Wear leather or rubber shoes or any appropriate enclosed shoes.
Does the dress code apply to flexiplace and virtual meetings?
Yes. Officials and employees on flexiplace must wear the required dress code, and the prohibited attire list applies during virtual meetings.
Can transgender employees wear the uniform that matches their gender identity?
Yes. Agencies must give officials and employees the option to wear the agency-prescribed uniform that suits their gender preferences, identities, and/or expression. Transgender employees may dress consistent with their preferred gender expression.
Can my agency require a specific hairstyle or hair color?
Only when it is a legitimate job requirement, such as safety, professionalism, uniformity or branding, and client preferences. Otherwise, agencies shall not compel compliance with rules that prevent employees from conforming to their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics.
Are tattoos, piercings, beards, and mustaches allowed?
These are governed by the internal rules of each agency or office, made in consultation with all its officials and employees.
Are Job Order and Contract of Service workers covered?
It depends on the agency. Agency heads may include COS and JO workers in the agency’s internal dress code guidelines.
Who is exempted from the dress code?
Uniformed personnel, medical and health personnel, research and laboratory personnel, field workers, employees whose religion or creed requires particular clothing, employees with disabilities or health reasons, pregnant employees, employees in mourning, and cases of emergencies, calamity rehabilitation, or inclement weather.
How do I request an exemption?
File a written request with the agency head through the HRMO at least 15 days before, or whenever possible. If approved, you must still wear at least smart casual attire.
Do I have to wear my ID?
Yes. The ARTA ID forms part of the agency-prescribed office uniform and must be worn during office hours or official duty.
What is the penalty for violating the dress code?
Violation is a ground for disciplinary action under civil service laws, rules, and regulations.
Who pays for the uniform allowance?
The uniform or clothing allowance is granted yearly in the amount authorized by law. It is charged to the agency budget for NGAs and SUCs, corporate funds for GOCCs, and local funds for LGUs.
Summary / Key Takeaways
- Effective 8 December 2024; agencies had six months to issue internal rules
- Mondays: ASEAN-inspired (1st), Filipiniana-inspired (2nd to 4th); Tue to Fri: agency uniform; no-uniform days: smart casual
- ARTA ID is part of the uniform
- Prohibited: sleeveless, see-through, ripped jeans, shorts, leggings, open-toe footwear, excessive jewelry, heavy theatrical makeup
- Employees may wear the uniform that fits their gender identity and expression
- Exemptions need a written request through the HRMO
- Violations: disciplinary action; check your agency’s internal guidelines
- CSC MC No. 16, s. 2024 took effect on 8 December 2024 and replaced the 1997 and 2000 dress code circulars.
- Mondays: ASEAN-inspired attire on the first Monday and Filipiniana-inspired attire on the second to fourth Mondays. Tuesday to Friday: the agency-prescribed uniform. Days without a uniform: smart casual, onsite or flexiplace.
- The ARTA ID forms part of the uniform.
- Sleeveless tops, see-through clothing, ripped jeans, shorts, leggings, open-toe footwear, excessive jewelry, and heavy theatrical makeup are prohibited.
- Officials and employees may wear the agency uniform that suits their gender identity and expression, and grooming rules must be job-related.
- Exemptions require a written request through the HRMO, 15 days ahead where possible.
- Violations are grounds for disciplinary action.
- Agency internal guidelines fill in details the circular leaves open, such as the fifth Monday, skirt length, and COS/JO coverage.
Disclaimer: This article is based on CSC Memorandum Circular No. 16, s. 2024, CSC Resolution No. 2400766, Section 8, Rule VI of the IRR of RA No. 6713, RA No. 9242, CSC MC No. 7, s. 2023, CSC-DOH-DOLE Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2020, CSC MC No. 6, s. 2022, and Section 325 of RA No. 7160. It is for educational purposes only and is not for use in any government transaction.
