Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso has immediately moved to cut fuel consumption in city government operations by 50 percent ahead of an anticipated oil shock triggered by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and escalating conflict in Iran.
Under Executive Order No. 7, series of 2026 signed on Monday, March 2, Domagoso said “the ongoing armed conflict in the Middle East and Operation Epic Fury in full effect (the Joint US-Israel Strike against Iran) will eventually contribute in the significant global oil market volatility, supply disruptions and upward pressure on fuel prices with adverse effects on the national and local economy and the fiscal position of the City of Manila.”
“The country of Iran declared a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, thus, the flow of 20% of the world’s oil is physically blocked,” the Mayor said.
“The City government of Manila must act to protect public funds, maintain essential public services and reduce exposure to fuel supply and price shocks by instituting immediate fuel conservation measures,” he said.
Under the directive, all city government departments, bureaus and offices are directed to achieve a minimum 50 percent reduction in fuel consumption, covering motor vehicles, generators, heavy equipment and other fuel-using assets owned, leased or operated by the city.
Offices are also encouraged to optimize vehicle routes, consolidate deliveries and minimize mileage.
Among the immediate measures ordered is the prohibition of all non-essential travel of city officials and staff.
“‘Non-essential Travel’ means travel that can be deferred, replaced by virtual meetings or otherwise avoided without materially affecting service delivery,” the Mayor said.
All “lakbay-aral” activities and foreign trips are likewise suspended unless deemed critical to city operations.
City offices, except for LGU-run hospitals and healthcare facilities, are required to implement electricity conservation measures, including switching off power at 5:00 p.m. Meetings with Manila’s 896 barangays, 44 city health centers, seven hospitals and district satellite offices are to be conducted online.
Graduation ceremonies in all public elementary and secondary schools will also be held within respective campuses to ease travel and reduce fuel-related burdens on families.
The order further allows staggered shifts, compressed workweeks and remote work arrangements where feasible, and mandates reductions in non-essential lighting and adjustments to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in city-owned facilities.
Exempted from the restrictions are emergency response operations, including police, fire and ambulance services; public health and disaster risk reduction operations; garbage collection and hauling; traffic management; and other functions deemed essential by the Mayor.
Violations of the travel and fuel-use provisions will be subject to administrative investigation and penalties under civil service rules, including suspension of fuel privileges and other sanctions.
The order takes effect immediately and will remain in force until the Mayor determines that emergency fuel conditions have stabilized.
