Sorsogon declares state of calamity amid oil crisis

SORSOGON, Philippines – The provincial government of Sorsogon has declared a state of calamity in an effort to cushion the impact of rising oil prices driven by the Middle East crisis.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 215-2026 cited the provisions of Memorandum No. 60-2019 of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which allows such proclamation when “at least 30% of the means of livelihood on agriculture, business, and industrial sectors are affected.” 

Provincial Administrator Eric Ravanilla said the declaration would allow the provincial government to utilize its calamity funds in providing assistance to the local transport sector.

In a meeting with provincial department heads, Sorsogon Governor Edwin Hamor said they would provide direct cash assistance to legitimate public transport drivers, including modernized and traditional jeepneys and tricycles.

Hamor said they would also provide petroleum assistance to the public transport sector weekly: modernized jeepneys will receive 10 liters, traditional jeepneys will receive 7 liters, and tricycles-for-hire will receive a full tank. 

Meanwhile, some local business leaders expressed apprehension over the effects of the declaration on the prices of commodities.

A source from the Sorsogon Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that local businesses have not increased the prices of grocery products since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, as they are still old inventories, but added that these would run out soon, and the declaration of a state of calamity brings with it a freeze on prices that would affect new deliveries.

Such a situation might dissuade Manila suppliers from delivering fresh supplies, said the source, who requested not to be named due to the sensitive nature of the matter.

Department of Trade and Industry Sorsogon Provincial Director Marilou Pancho, meanwhile, said that they would confer with the chamber to thresh out their concerns. 

Ravanilla said they would address the apprehensions of the business sector and work toward a win-win concession. – Rappler.com