MANILA, Philippines — In anticipation of global oil supply and price disruptions due to the conflict in the Middle East, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has ordered the city government to reduce its fuel consumption by half.
City officials must conserve fuel and reduce fuel-related expenditures while ensuring the continuity of essential services, based on Executive Order No. 7 signed by Moreno yesterday.
“The city government of Manila must act to protect public funds, maintain essential public services and institute fuel conservation measures,” Moreno said.
With one-fifth of the world’s oil physically blocked from transport at the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israel attack on Iran, a surge in fuel prices is expected to hit the Philippine economy.
To alleviate this, Moreno instructed barangays and satellite offices to reduce commuting and official travel by adjusting work, transactions and other coordination to online arrangements.
He also mandated city offices, bureaus and departments to implement energy conservation measures, including a mandatory power shutoff at 5 p.m.
Exempted from this policy are local government health care facilities, emergency response vehicles, garbage services, traffic management and other critical infrastructure.
Moreno said he would coordinate with government offices for broader measures on the matter.
“The city shall coordinate with the Department of Energy, national government agencies and other local government units to align measures, access technical assistance and share best practices,” Moreno said.
The policy will be enforced until emergency fuel conditions have stabilized, according to Moreno.