Cebu Governor Pamela S. Baricuatro has ordered provincial offices, cities, and municipalities to implement measures addressing fuel supply, food security, and support for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Through Executive Order No. 15, Series of 2026, the provincial government aims to ensure uninterrupted public services and prepare for potential disruptions that could affect global oil supplies, local commodity prices, and the safety of Cebuanos working abroad.
The order requires all provincial departments to adopt immediate fuel-saving measures, including reducing unnecessary travel, consolidating trips, conducting virtual meetings, and monitoring fuel use.
Vehicle deployment and routing must be optimized to prevent waste.
Departments are instructed to submit Fuel Conservation Plans to the Office of the Governor within five working days.
Emergency and essential services such as ambulances, disaster response units, law enforcement, and social services are exempted to ensure public safety.
To support OFWs in affected countries, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Provincial Tourism Office will establish a Provincial OFW Assistance and Repatriation Desk in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
A registry of Cebuano OFWs will be created to facilitate rapid response in emergencies.
Agencies are tasked with providing financial aid, psychosocial support, temporary shelter, and livelihood or reintegration programs for returning workers. Coordination with TESDA and local employers for employment facilitation is also required.
The Executive Order also directs the Provincial Agriculturist to prepare a short-term food sufficiency plan covering staples such as rice, corn, fishery products, and vegetables.
Local procurement from Cebu-based producers will be prioritized, while city and municipal agriculture offices are tasked with maintaining buffer stocks.
Community and urban gardening initiatives are encouraged, and farm input costs will be monitored to prevent disruptions in production, with subsidies considered as needed.
In collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry, Cebu will intensify monitoring of fuel and essential commodities including rice, flour, and sugar.
A Provincial Price Monitoring Dashboard will be established, and the Local Price Coordinating Council may convene to prevent hoarding, profiteering, or price manipulation.
The Provincial Planning and Development Office, together with the Economic Enterprise Council, will oversee province-wide economic resilience strategies, including reviewing fuel supply chains, assessing infrastructure vulnerabilities, and ensuring continuity of utilities, health facilities, and ongoing flagship projects.
The Provincial Treasurer’s Office and Provincial Budget Officer are tasked with identifying standby funds and contingency allocations for fuel stabilization, emergency assistance, and OFW repatriation.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Information Office will issue advisories, promote responsible energy use, and strengthen community resilience through public information campaigns.
All measures outlined in the executive order are effective immediately across all provincial offices, component cities, and municipalities. (SBA)
