The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) has expressed strong support for the government's dual policy initiatives aimed at tackling escalating energy costs and supply vulnerabilities. In a recent statement, the chamber emphasized the critical need for enhanced coordination and protective measures to shield micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the mounting pressures of global economic instability.
State of National Energy Emergency
CCCI welcomed the declaration of a State of National Energy Emergency under Executive Order 110, describing it as an essential move to stabilize energy supply and prices. This policy is seen as a vital shield for businesses and households against the disruptive impacts of global crises. The chamber highlighted that the Philippines' heavy dependence on imported energy, food, and technology has exposed significant weaknesses during past emergencies, underscoring an urgent need to bolster economic resilience and global competitiveness.
Cebu has confronted multiple challenges in recent years, from Typhoon Odette to earthquakes and the pandemic, and each time, we have demonstrated remarkable resilience. However, this new emergency will not affect all sectors equally, the chamber noted. With over 90 percent of Cebu's economy comprising MSMEs, these enterprises are particularly susceptible to cost shocks, making targeted safeguards imperative.
Call for Coordinated Action
The group urged national and local governments to implement consistent price regulation and supply monitoring across Cebu, warning that fragmented local policies could destabilize markets. It also appealed to businesses to refrain from hoarding and price gouging, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability in maintaining market integrity.
Excise Tax Relief on Petroleum
Simultaneously, CCCI endorsed the enactment of Republic Act 12316, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which grants executive authority to suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products during periods of extraordinary global price volatility. The chamber praised this law as a crucial policy tool to cushion the blow of rising fuel prices, especially for MSMEs, workers, and low-income households.
This flexibility can deliver meaningful relief, helping safeguard livelihoods and ensure continued access to fuel, CCCI stated, adding that the measure is expected to mitigate inflationary pressures and support business continuity. However, the group emphasized that implementation must be strategic, transparent, and balanced, ensuring that short-term relief is complemented by long-term solutions such as energy diversification, improved logistics efficiency, and sustainable transport systems.
Safeguards and Recommendations
CCCI outlined key safeguards to ensure equitable impact, including regular consultations with the private sector and transport groups, targeted support programs like subsidies and affordable credit access for MSMEs, and strict monitoring of fuel prices and inflation with transparent public reporting. The chamber underscored the necessity for close coordination among national agencies, local government units, and the private sector to enable timely and effective implementation of these measures.
Furthermore, CCCI urged Cebu's business community to adopt proactive strategies, such as optimizing operations, managing resources prudently, implementing cost-saving measures, and investing in innovation to reduce import dependence and enhance competitiveness. By working together—with discipline, cooperation, and a shared vision—Cebu can remain adaptive and emerge stronger from this crisis, the chamber concluded.
