The Manila Local Government Unit (LGU) is set to reduce its fuel consumption by 50% because of the looming oil crisis following the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno announced that the city will cooperate with the immediate fuel conservation measures after following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, situated between Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman. The strait is known as the world’s most important oil chokepoint, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

"The country of Iran declared a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, thus, the flow of 20% of the world’s oil is physically blocked," the Mayor stated in an official release via Manila PIO

“More than 20 million barrels of crude, condensate and fuels passed through the strait daily last year on average, data from analytics firm Vortexa showed,” according to Reuters

To achieve the 50% reduction target, the city government aims to limit activities involving high fuel consumption. 

According to the LGU, the mandate also includes implementing compressed workweeks, remote arrangements, and limitations in electricity consumption, such as lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in all city-owned facilities.

City offices are instructed to switch off the power by 5:00 PM. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are exempted with the restrictions. 

Non-essential travel for city officials and staff is also prohibited, and advised to conduct tasks online as long as the work quality remains uncompromised.

Activities, including Lakbay Aral and foreign trips, are suspended unless necessary.

The City LGU also clarifies that the following essential sectors are exempted from the restrictions on fuel consumption:

• Emergency response operations (Police, Fire, Ambulance services)
• Public health and disaster risk reduction operations
• Garbage collection and hauling
• Traffic management

Other sectors will also be allowed if necessary, but subject to Mayor’s approval.

Violators will face “administrative investigation and penalties under Civil Service Rules”.

“Violations of the travel and fuel-use provisions will be subject to administrative investigation and penalties under civil service rules, including suspension of fuel privileges and other sanctions,” according to the issued statement of Manila PIO