Article by:
Connie Calipay
LEGAZPI CITY – The Naga City government ordered on Friday emergency fuel conservation measures in response to the global energy crisis arising from the conflict in the Middle East.
Mayor Maria Leonor Robredo issued Executive Order 012, series of 2026, mandating all city departments, offices, and units to strictly implement energy-saving measures and achieve at least a 10 percent reduction in fuel consumption, in line with the advisory of the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee.
The order cited escalating hostilities in the Middle East since Feb. 28, which have threatened global oil supply chains, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, where a large portion of the world's petroleum shipments pass.
Robredo expanded the role of the city's Fleet Management Technical Working Group (TWG) to enforce stricter monitoring of vehicle usage and fuel consumption.
Among the measures ordered are the rationalization of the city's vehicle fleet, stricter controls on the deployment of government vehicles, operationalization of a "zone-based cluster" system, and mandatory vehicle pooling for official travel outside the city.
Non-essential travel outside Naga City is temporarily suspended unless justified and authorized by the Office of the City Mayor. Drivers are prohibited from idling engines for more than 3 minutes while waiting for passengers or during loading and unloading.
The order also calls for the accelerated use of digital platforms, with coordination meetings conducted through Google Meet and document transmission via official email accounts under the city's Google Workspace system, except when printed copies are required by law.
City personnel are encouraged to prioritize public transportation and other active transport options for short-distance official travel.
The TWG will monitor compliance through regular audits of fuel withdrawal slips, odometer readings, and trip tickets, and submit a monthly fuel conservation report to the mayor's office and the city council. (With a report from Melrose Lagonoy, OJT/PNA)
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