It has often been said that true governance is tested in times of need.
The local government of Biñan, Laguna has already proved this during the Covid-19 pandemic, when its measures to help Biñanenses through the restrictions and its economic impact gained national recognition.
This gave local officials the moral boost and confidence that it can handle future crises – like the latest war in Iran that has sent shockwaves throughout the global economy.
As prices at the gas pumps zoomed to beyond P100 per liter (as of March 18), the city government under Mayor Gel Alonte has ensured that Biñanenses will be protected not only from the worst impacts of this global crisis but also from those seeking to take advantage of the situation.
Foresight and planning
Early on, local officials had anticipated that the effects of the Iran conflict on the global and national economy will be long-lasting, according to Biñan City Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) head Atty. Edward Arriba.
“We already knew that the situation will not get better anytime soon,” Arriba disclosed in an interview with OpinYon Laguna.
With this understanding, city officials immediately conducted meetings with the owners and operators of around 15 gasoline stations in Biñan City to discuss how to soften the impact of the big-time oil price hike to consumers.
“Isa po sa mga utos ni Mayor Gel Alonte ay to make sure na mag-iimplement ng fair business practices ang ating mga gasoline stations at walang magsasamantala sa sitwasyon,” Arriba added.
Gasoline stations in Biñan City were ordered to give six hours’ notice not only of price adjustments but also of possible closures, supply shortages or restrictions on the purchase of oil products (as a means to prevent hoarding).
“Sa ngayon po [March 16], may sapat pa naman pong supply ng gasolina sa ating lungsod. Pero we are preparing for the worst-case scenario,” the BPLO head added.
Inspection of pumps and scales
The Biñan City Treasurer’s Office under its officer-in-charge Leilani Almarines has also taken its own measures to ensure the strict implementation of fair business practices amid the ongoing fuel crisis.
The office’s Tax Collection Enforcement Division under Sunshine Camaya, for instance, has conducted numerous inspections of gasoline stations in the city to check that their pumps are calibrated properly.
“Ginagawa naman po naman natin ito every six months, pero pinaigting po natin ito sa sitwasyon ngayon, para makasiguro po ang mga Biñanense na ang binabayaran nila at ang nakukuha nila ay tama,” Almarines explained to OpinYon Laguna.
Anticipating the “domino effect” of the big-time oil price hike on the prices of goods and commodities, the City Treasurer’s Office has also intensified its checking of weighing scales at the Biñan Public Market and other major establishments in the city.
Austerity measures
Meanwhile, the city government itself has also implemented strict austerity measures in solidarity with the calls of the national government to conserve energy resources.
Executive Order No. 9 Series of 2026 laid down the "energy conservation protocols" implemented inside the Biñan City Hall, as well as the new flexible working arrangements for local departments.
Select departments will follow the national government's four-day workweek directive, while others - such as the City Treasurer's Office and the BPLO - will implement a skeletal workforce during Fridays.
Financial aid
Alonte also assured Biñanenses affected by the oil crisis that they will be given support by the local government, as it had done during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aside from financial assistance to transport drivers with the assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the city executive also pledged to help overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) working in countries that were affected by the war in the Middle East.
“Patuloy ang koordinasyon ng lungsod para sa mga OFWs na Biñanense at kanilang pamilya, lalo na sa usapin ng economic impact ng global fuel price movements, upang matiyak na may sapat na impormasyon at suporta sa panahon ng pangangailangan,” Alonte said in a press statement.
Amid the economic uncertainties brought by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the city mayor assured Biñanenses that the LGU continues to be on top of the situation to give all the help it can amid the crisis.
“Hindi man natin kontrolado ang galaw ng presyo sa pandaigdigang merkado pero responsibilidad natin na siguraduhing may maayos na sistema, may pagbabantay, at may suporta ang ating mga kababayan,” Alonte emphasized.
“Nanawagan tayo sa lahat ng negosyo at stakeholders na maging responsable at makiisa sa pagpapanatili ng patas na presyo. Ang laban na ito ay laban ng buong komunidad,” he added.
“Sa gitna ng hamon ng tumataas na presyo ng langis, nananatiling nakatuon ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Biñan sa pagbibigay ng praktikal, agarang, at makataong solusyon—alinsunod sa layunin ng #TatakGEL: Galing at Epektibong Lingkod.”
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