Zamboanga City under state of calamity due to rising oil prices
By Liza Jocson
OLASO (center). (FB)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Zamboanga City was placed under a state of calamity due to rising oil prices from the Middle East conflict.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a resolution during its regular session on Wednesday, April 8, based on a recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council on March 11.
The declaration allowed the local government to utilize the 30 percent Quick Response Fund from its Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund to be utilized for important relief measures, including the provision of financial assistance to affected sectors, distribution of relief supplies, and attending to vital infrastructure.
Since March, the local government has coordinated with national agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Energy, and fuel retailers to prevent hoarding and overpricing of fuel, vital items, and commodities.
Mayor Khymer Olaso has appealed to traders not to take advantage of the situation by hoarding, price manipulation, and overpricing. He also appealed to the public for support in this very critical time. “Let us not exploit the situation for personal gain,” appealed Olaso in a social media post.
Meanwhile, Petron implemented a rollback in fuel prices in several gas stations on Wednesday.
Fuel prices are down from P153 on Wednesday to P135 Thursday. Gasoline prices also decreased by at least P1.