Cagayan de oro: The local government here on Tuesday declared the city under a state of energy emergency and approved the release of a PHP400 million calamity fund. During the session, the city council approved Resolution No. 2026-203 to help various sectors cope with the ongoing oil price hike resulting from tensions in the Middle East.

According to Philippines News Agency, the local government will provide at least PHP2,000 cash assistance to qualified groups, such as transport groups, farmers, fisherfolk, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents. In an interview, Majority Floor Leader Councilor Edgar Cabanlas said the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department proposed the resolution to coincide with the President's earlier Executive Order 110, which declared a state of national energy emergency.

"There was an opinion that we need to pass a resolution to align with the executive order so we can use the calamity fund," he said. Cabanlas noted that the fund is limited and the city will not release it in bulk.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will begin distributing fuel subsidies to taxi drivers and operators on Wednesday, April 8.