BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — As the “Summer Capital” prepares for its peak tourist season, the Baguio City Government has officially convened a special crisis committee to mitigate the localized impact of skyrocketing fuel prices. The move comes as the “Third Wave” of global economic fallout from the Middle East conflict continues to drive up logistics costs, threatening the city’s vital tourism and agricultural supply chains.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who will chair the committee, emphasized that the city’s unique geography—relying heavily on uphill transport for food, water, and passengers—makes it particularly vulnerable to the “diesel double whammy.” The committee is tasked with creating a “resiliency roadmap” to protect the city’s ₱50-billion development goals and ensure that the “Creative Economy” remains accessible to visitors.
“Baguio cannot afford to be a bystander as global oil prices dictate our local cost of living,” Mayor Magalong stated during the committee’s first organizational meeting. “From our vegetable truckers in La Trinidad to our jeepney drivers navigating the Marcos Highway, everyone is feeling the pinch. This committee will act as a ‘buffer’ to ensure that essential services remain operational and affordable.”
The Baguio Crisis Committee has outlined several immediate “Emergency Interventions”:
- Localized Fuel Subsidies: Exploring a partnership with “Big Three” oil firms to establish city-exclusive “discount lanes” for registered public utility vehicles (PUVs) and agricultural transport.
- Smart Staggering of Deliveries: Implementing a “logistics window” for heavy trucks to reduce idling time in traffic, which significantly contributes to wasted fuel on the city’s steep inclines.
- Accelerated EV Transition: Fast-tracking the deployment of electric buses and “e-trikes” in the central business district, supported by the national government’s push for renewable energy.
- Water Delivery Oversight: Monitoring the rates of private water delivery tankers to prevent “price-gouging” as the dry season intensifies and the Amihan (Northeast Monsoon) weakens.
The formation of the committee coincides with the nationwide transport strike, which saw several universities and colleges shift to online classes. While Baguio’s transport groups have shown restraint, the city is preparing “Libreng Sakay” (Free Ride) units using government vehicles to ensure that essential workers can reach the Baguio General Hospital and other critical facilities.
Councilors have also suggested tapping into the city’s “Green Bond” funds—inspired by the successful ₱10-billion bond issuance by Rockwell Land—to finance more permanent energy solutions, such as the solar-powered irrigation systems recently advocated by House Agri leaders for the neighboring Benguet farming communities.
As the second quarter of 2026 approaches, the Baguio Crisis Committee will meet weekly to adjust the city’s “Inflation Shield” policies. For the thousands of tourists planning to escape the lowland heat this Holy Week, the committee’s success will determine whether a trip to the pines remains a budget-friendly reality.