Tagbilaran City creates crisis committee 

for energy efficiency, service continuity

By Elvira C. Bongosia

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — The Tagbilaran City Government has issued an executive order creating the Tagbilaran City Crisis Management Committee (TCCMC) to ensure energy efficiency, continuity of services, and coordinated action in response to the national energy emergency.

Mayor Jane Yap signed the order following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order No. 110, declaring a State of National Energy Emergency.

The committee is tasked to provide immediate relief to Tagbilaranons affected by fuel price increases.

Yap described it as a whole-of-city response, calling on the private sector, schools, and institutions to actively partner with the city government.

“This is a call for all of us to act — to conserve electricity, to use energy wisely, and to do our part,” Yap said.

“We will also prioritize support for our most vulnerable sectors — our fisherfolk, farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and low-income wage earners — to protect livelihoods and sustain our local economy,” she added.

Yap noted the current situation differs from COVID because “almost everything we rely on depends on energy and fuel — from transportation, to food supply, to our daily livelihoods.”

“That is why we must respond together with discipline, cooperation, and urgency. Magtinabangay ta. Mag-andam ta. Para sa atong kaugmaon (Let’s work together. Let’s prepare. For our future),” Yap urged Tagbilaranons.

President Marcos declared a state of national energy emergency on March 25 to address the impact of the conflict in the Middle East.

The national government also adopted the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) as a whole-of-government response framework aimed at ensuring stable domestic energy supply, uninterrupted essential services, and continued economic activity, particularly for vulnerable sectors.

City’s immediate action

In a video posted March 25, Yap announced the suspension of all requests for free use of city-owned buses until fuel prices stabilize. Instead, the buses will be used to provide free public rides as a concrete measure to ease the impact of rising petroleum prices.

Yap also announced the cancellation of some activities for the annual Saulog festival. The traditional street dancing on May 1 — a devotion to the city’s patron, St. Joseph the Worker — and the Saulog Bazaar will proceed as scheduled to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and sustain local economic activity.

The city government is also prepared to provide fuel subsidy and rice assistance for the most vulnerable sectors, Yap said.

These actions followed a consultation with key city and barangay officials.

Yap also requested the City Council to grant her authority to cancel the franchises and business permits of tricycle operators and establishments taking advantage of the crisis.

“My direction is clear: the City Government of Tagbilaran will mobilize all available resources to protect our people, sustain our economy, and guide our city through this crisis,” Yap said. (ECB/PIA7 Bohol)

The City Government of Tagbilaran has issued an executive order to ensure energy efficiency, continuity of services, and coordinated action in the city to provide immediate relief to Tagbilaranons affected by fuel price adjustments. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)