BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – A growing fuel supply strain is impacting the Cordillera region, with gas station closures, purchase limits and reduced transport options causing concern for residents.
As of Wednesday, March 25, police data indicated that 415 out of 14,269 gas stations nationwide were temporarily closed due to supply constraints. The Cordillera Administrative Region reported the highest number of closures.
Data from the Police Regional Office-Cordillera showed 79 gas stations in the region were closed as of Friday, March 27, broken down as follows: Kalinga with 26, Benguet with 18, Mountain Province with 15, Ifugao with 12, Abra with 6, and Baguio City with 2.
Monitoring by the Baguio City Police Office from March 24 to 26 revealed at least four stations experienced “out of stock” conditions, with over 10 instances recorded, particularly at smaller retailers. Purchase limits of around 20 liters per transaction are being reported, potentially disrupting deliveries and the flow of goods.
The impact is visible on the streets. By 3 pm on Thursday, March 26, jeepney queues in Baguio were unusually long, stretching up to half a kilometer for routes to Quirino Hill. Similar queues formed for routes to Loakan-Apugan, Kias, the Philippine Military Academy, Asin Road, and Irisan.
Commuters are facing significant challenges. One commuter, posting on social media under the name GorgeousFlamingo7566, described the daily commute as a “daily burden,” noting that taxis are unaffordable for those earning P400 a day. Evening jeepney cutoff times have been shortened to as early as 7 pm on some routes, requiring police intervention to assist stranded passengers.
Impact on Drivers
Jeepney driver Jun Gomez, from La Trinidad, Benguet, explained that fuel limits mean fewer trips and reduced earnings. “Kung 20 liters lang, pipili ka kung ilang pasada. Hindi mo na mababawi lahat (If we’re only allowed 20 liters, you will choose your rides. You cannot earn enough to compensate for the trips),” he said.
Local governments are implementing energy conservation measures, limiting nonessential travel, and preparing fuel allocation systems prioritizing transport, food distribution, and health services. The Lang-ay Festival 2026 in Mountain Province has been canceled to conserve energy.
Despite the fuel crisis, wholesale vegetable prices have generally declined as of March 27. Snap beans fell from P80-P85 per kilo to P20-P25, cucumbers from P70-P80 to P40-P45, and chayote to as low as P3-P10. Cabbage and carrots remained relatively stable, although bell peppers remained high at P150-P170 per kilo.
Farmers are facing a mismatch between falling prices and rising fuel costs. One farmer from Atok, Benguet, noted, “Bumababa presyo, pero gasolina pataas. Kailangan pa rin naming magbenta kahit maliit kita (The prices went down, but the fuel prices are high. We still need to sell our goods even with lower profit).” Saturnina Batonan Tosay, an organic farmer, expressed concern about the financial strain on farmers and their families.
Local Government Actions
The Baguio city government has formed a crisis management committee including fuel retailers, food distributors, hospitals, transport groups, and business representatives. Mayor Benjamin Magalong stated the city is preparing fuel prioritization mechanisms, with essential sectors receiving priority. Regulated fuel purchases may be required for businesses using generators.
Conservation measures include a four-day workweek, reduced electricity consumption, limits on air-conditioning, and a shift to online meetings. Barangays are encouraged to organize carpools and promote walking and biking. Financial assistance of P5,000 is being offered to 1,912 transport workers.
Officials warn that the energy emergency could last for weeks, and even if global tensions ease, fuel supply and prices may take months to stabilize. Magalong emphasized This represents “not martial law,” but a “targeted response to an energy crisis.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current situation with gas stations in the Cordillera region?
As of Friday, March 27, 79 gas stations in the Cordillera region were reported closed, with Kalinga having the most closures at 26.
How are commuters being affected by the fuel supply strain?
Commuters are experiencing long queues for jeepneys, shortened routes, and earlier cutoff times, with some routes experiencing delays and requiring police assistance.
What steps are local governments taking to address the crisis?
Local governments are implementing energy conservation measures, preparing fuel allocation systems, and providing financial assistance to transport workers.
How will residents cope with a potentially prolonged energy emergency?
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