FUEL JITTERS: Iloilo City prepares for worst-case oil crisis

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Iloilo City government has begun drafting contingency measures to address possible fuel shortages and sharp price increases as global oil supply uncertainty persists amid tensions in the Middle East.

Engr. Neil Ravena, head of the City General Services Office and executive director of the newly created crisis management council, said member agencies have been directed to submit response plans covering three scenarios involving sharp fuel price increases and supply constraints.

The scenarios include a 100% increase in fuel prices, with supply expected to last up to 45 days; a 200% increase, with an estimated 30-day supply buffer; and a worst-case scenario involving a 300% price hike coupled with near-total depletion of fuel at gasoline stations.

“These scenarios will guide our response. Members are required to submit corresponding measures for each,” Ravena said Monday, March 30.

The 18-member council is chaired by Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu and is composed mostly of department heads, including representatives from the Iloilo City Police Office and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

The City Council is not part of the crisis council.

Ravena said the city is closely monitoring national fuel supply conditions, noting that the Department of Energy has described the third scenario as an extreme case.

“We are monitoring the current supply and how many days we can sustain fuel availability,” he said.

Earlier, Treñas-Chu said the city has a “stable and sufficient” supply of fuel and liquefied petroleum gas that can last until April.

Ravena said the city has begun adjusting operations in fuel-intensive programs, including urban beautification and landscaping, as part of its conservation efforts.

He said the watering schedule for plants has been moved to early morning and evening to reduce evaporation and ease traffic congestion for water tankers, which consume more fuel when delayed.

“We are also monitoring the fuel consumption in the beautification program because our street landscape is also drying up, and we also need more fuel to be used for water extraction, delivery of water, and watering. What we did is we changed the schedule of watering,” he said.

The city is also intensifying information campaigns on energy conservation, particularly for businesses and institutions, to manage electricity use during peak hours when transmission costs are higher.

Ravena said city officials have started coordinating with schools to monitor electricity consumption by identifying those with high usage and recommending efficiency measures.

He added that authorities are also checking for possible electrical pilferage in schools.

The city is also focusing on preventive maintenance of electrical systems, particularly air-conditioning units.

Ravena noted that while most public school classrooms are now air-conditioned, regular cleaning and maintenance are often neglected, causing units to work harder and consume more electricity because of clogged filters.

The city’s preparations come as the Philippine government remains under a state of national energy emergency declared March 24, with authorities citing threats to fuel supply and broader economic risks from the Middle East conflict.