Iloilo: The provincial government of Iloilo is preparing to declare a state of calamity amid the rising fuel costs to allow the use of its quick response fund (QRF) in extending assistance to affected sectors. The Provincial Community Defense Cluster, led by Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., virtually convened mayors and vice mayors of local government units (LGUs) on Friday, where they tackled Section 7 of Executive Order (EO) 110, declaring the state of national energy emergency issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

According to Philippines News Agency, Governor Defensor emphasized the need for LGUs to either find or allocate resources to alleviate the impact of fuel price disruptions. He mentioned that the President allows provincial and local government units to provide assistance to the extent they can afford. Defensor also highlighted the importance of coordinating local assistance efforts with those of the national government to ensure optimal use of resources.

Defensor explained that the QRF, amounting to PHP82 million for the province, can significantly enhance local governments' capacity to provide aid. To activate this fund, a declaration of a state of calamity by the provincial board, or Sanggunian, is necessary. This move aligns with guidelines from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which state that a state of calamity can be declared if 15 percent of the population or 30 percent of the economic sector, livelihood, or agriculture is affected, or if two or more LGUs declare a state of calamity.

During the virtual meeting, updates were also sought from the Department of Energy regarding current oil supply conditions and key challenges affecting the region. Based on the DOE update, as of March 20, inventory levels were noted at 53.14 days for gasoline, 45.82 days for diesel, 61.49 days for fuel oil, and 23.51 days for liquefied petroleum gas.