Baguio: The city government has created a Crisis Management Committee composed of representatives from fuel retailers, hotels, supermarkets, schools, and other business sectors to help monitor supply conditions and recommend actions if the situation escalates. Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Wednesday said among the actions that will be immediately undertaken is to ensure the prioritization of certain sectors in the rationing of fuel.
According to Philippines News Agency, the committee has established a mechanism that would prioritize essential sectors such as food distributors, hospitals, emergency services, and public utilities in the event that fuel rationing becomes necessary due to the continuing crisis in the Middle East. Magalong assured stakeholders that the city government will continue to monitor developments closely and work with both local businesses and national agencies to protect consumers and maintain stable supplies of essential commodities.
The creation of the crisis management committee came after the city government activated the local price monitoring council, which is part of the city's contingency planning efforts, stressing that the local government aims to prevent panic buying and ensure that fuel supplies are used responsibly. The committee is also looking at the purchase of gasoline using containers, especially with power outages being scheduled and establishments as well as offices needing gasoline for their generator sets.
The mayor clarified that gasoline stations may allow fuel purchases in containers for generators, provided the purpose is legitimate and safety standards are followed. "Businesses may present their business permits as proof of legitimate use," he said.
Business groups have expressed concern with the practice of some fuel retailers that limit purchases to 20 liters, which could pose a problem for food delivery vehicles. Any disruption in fuel supply could affect the food distribution chain, particularly deliveries of essential goods such as rice, poultry, and vegetables to the city.
The city government said they are targeting at least a 10 percent reduction in the monthly electricity and water consumption with the implementation of the four-day workweek. He said these energy conservation measures must be implemented without compromising public service delivery. Air-conditioning use will be limited from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., unless temperatures exceed 24 degrees Celsius.
Offices are also required to shut down electrical equipment after work hours, unplug ICT devices to prevent phantom load, and avoid non-work-related activities such as video streaming or online gaming on government-issued computers. To reduce energy use and travel costs, meetings and briefings are encouraged to be conducted through authorized video conferencing platforms, while official travel will be limited only to essential functions.
The mayor said the city's engineering office, general services office, and the Management Information Technology Division will monitor the compliance of all city offices, ensuring that they are meeting the energy reduction targets. The mayor said the initiative aims to support national efforts to conserve energy while promoting more efficient government operations and sustainable practices in the city.
