The Baguio City government has declared a state of calamity in response to the ongoing oil crisis, following the unanimous approval of Resolution No. 257, series of 2026, by the city council. The move comes in line with the earlier national state of emergency declared by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed the resolution, allowing the local government to tap its disaster risk reduction and management funds to mitigate the economic and logistical effects of disruptions in global energy supply linked to tensions in the Middle East.
The measure also authorizes the mobilization of government resources, stricter enforcement of relevant regulations, and closer coordination with national agencies to stabilize local conditions.
City officials said the surge in fuel prices has significantly affected Baguio’s tourism-dependent economy, with visitor arrivals reportedly dropping by up to 50 percent during the Holy Week period.
To cushion the impact, the local government previously rolled out free ride services and an emergency mobility program to assist both residents and tourists in coping with rising transportation costs.