Cebu Businesses and Government Unite to Mitigate Rising Fuel Price Impact
In a proactive move to address the escalating global fuel prices, business leaders in Cebu are joining forces with provincial authorities to safeguard the local economy from potential disruptions in transport costs and commodity supply. During a press conference held in Cebu City on Friday, March 13, 2026, officials from the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) outlined collaborative strategies aimed at ensuring stability for consumers and businesses alike.
Coordinated Efforts to Ensure Supply Stability
CCCI President Regan Rex King emphasized the chamber's active coordination with provincial officials and other business groups to monitor developments and craft proposals. "We are going to issue a proposal to the Province, together with the other business chambers," King stated, following a recent meeting to discuss contingency plans amid ongoing geopolitical tensions that could drive fuel costs higher and disrupt supply chains.
One key measure under consideration is the deployment of rolling stores or caravans, similar to those used during the Covid-19 pandemic, to ensure essential commodities like food and medicine remain accessible. This initiative would involve companies supplying products for distribution by local governments and partner organizations, with potential tax offsets or credits for participating firms to incentivize involvement.
Vulnerabilities and Monitoring
King highlighted Cebu's heavy reliance on imported goods, making the province particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions. "Most of the things here in Cebu are not produced locally," he noted, adding that some international suppliers are delaying shipments as they assess rising freight costs. To address this, business groups and government agencies are holding weekly coordination meetings to closely monitor fuel prices, freight costs, and supply conditions.
Despite these risks, business leaders reassured that the immediate impact of the fuel price surge remains limited, with ripple effects expected to appear only after several weeks. They pointed out that global oil prices are still below the peaks recorded during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Call for Calm and Innovation
Anton Mari Perdices, CCCI Vice President for Business Development, urged companies to remain calm and focus on efficiency improvements. "I think we did okay during the Ukraine crisis, even though prices were much higher then than they are today. I believe we will weather the storm. Everybody has to be proactive and find ways to save costs," Perdices said. He added that some firms are absorbing part of the rising costs instead of immediately passing them on to consumers to help maintain economic activity.
Bryan Yap, Chairman of Cebu Business Month 2026, highlighted how past challenges, such as the pandemic, have fostered adaptability and innovation. "The pandemic pushed many companies to adopt digitalization, e-commerce, and hybrid work arrangements," Yap explained, suggesting that similar strategies could help firms cope with rising energy costs. He also noted that sustained fuel price increases might accelerate the shift toward electric vehicles and alternative energy solutions.
Sector-Specific Responses
The impact of rising fuel prices varies across industries, depending on how much fuel accounts for operating expenses. For instance, the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector is considered relatively resilient due to its widespread adoption of hybrid and flexible work arrangements, as noted by Darwin John Moises, CCCI Vice President for Partnerships, Engagement and Governance.
In contrast, the trading sector is focusing on maintaining inventory and monitoring supply chains despite rising costs. Bernard Vonn Sia, CCCI Vice President for Cebu Business Mobilization, emphasized the importance of product availability: "As far as the trading sector is concerned, we want to make sure the supplies are there even if they are more expensive. What is worse for the economy than high prices is having no products at all to sell."
Ongoing Collaboration for Economic Growth
As companies brace for potential challenges, King affirmed that CCCI will continue strengthening collaboration with government agencies and industry groups to support businesses and sustain economic growth. This united front aims to balance profitability with consumer protection, ensuring Cebu's economy remains robust in the face of global uncertainties.
