CEBU CITY – Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has issued an executive order (EO) that seeks to mitigate the impact caused by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

Baricuatro on Monday issued EO No. 15 calling for “urgent proactive measures,” fearing that the escalating conflict in the Middle East “are likely to result in disruption in global oil supply chains, volatility in fuel prices, inflationary pressures on food and basic commodities, repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers, and broader economic uncertainty.”

“The province of Cebu is in active communication and coordination with relevant national government agencies to ensure a unified and effective response to emerging challenges resulting from global conflicts,” the EO said.

Among the key measures that the province will take are fuel-saving initiatives across all provincial government departments, including the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, component cities, and municipalities.

Offices were ordered to reduce unnecessary travel and field activities, consolidate official trips when practicable, and adopt virtual meetings whenever feasible.

“All departments shall submit their respective fuel conservation plans to the Office of the Governor within five working days from the issuance of this executive order,” the EO stated.

Exempted from the fuel conservation directive are emergency and essential services, including ambulances and medical emergency transport, disaster risk reduction and response operations, emergency social welfare services, law enforcement and public safety operations, and other critical services determined by the governor.

Baricuatro directed the Provincial Information Office to issue timely advisories to prevent panic buying and misinformation.