State of calamity declared in Baguio amid energy crisis

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Baguio City Council has placed the city under a state of calamity as surging fuel prices and supply disruptions continue to strain transport, tourism, and daily life, with impacts already visible on the ground.

Resolution No. 257, Series of 2026, was unanimously adopted during the council’s March 30 regular session, aligning the city’s response with Executive Order No. 110 declaring a national energy emergency.

In recent days, commuters have faced long queues at jeepney terminals as some drivers reduced trips due to high fuel costs. The city government earlier deployed vehicles and rolled out a “libreng sakay” (free ride) program with transport cooperatives to assist stranded passengers.

Fuel prices in Baguio have climbed sharply, with diesel in some stations reaching as high as P165.70 per liter, based on on-site monitoring, significantly increasing operating costs for transport operators.

The impact has extended to tourism and local businesses. Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier said tourist arrivals have dropped by as much as 40% to 50%, while hotel bookings have declined by around 30%, according to Andrew Pinero of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio.

Supply chains are also under pressure. Benguet farmers, who supply much of the city’s vegetables, are facing rising transport costs even as farmgate prices have plunged to as low as P3 to P8 per kilo, far below production costs of around P18 to P20, affecting both producers and market flow.

Even before the declaration, city officials had described the situation as a transportation emergency, prompting immediate interventions such as coordination with transport groups and traffic management adjustments to maintain mobility.

With the state of calamity in effect, the city government can now tap its Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund to expand transport subsidies, support affected sectors, and ensure the continued delivery of essential goods and services.

City officials said the declaration will also allow faster coordination with national agencies and the scaling up of measures already in place.

The resolution was certified correct on April 7, 2026, and signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong. – Rappler.com