"BE practical," Mabalacat City Mayor Cris Garbo told his constituents during Monday's flag raising ceremony.

The mayor stressed that people should prepare for the worst amid the Ukraine-Russia war.

Garbo mentioned the continues fuel hike which is now affecting the prices of basic commodities and medical services.

"Mitatas ngan ing prices na ning gasoline, kerosene, diesel and everything so expect na ing egana-gana pung services including kareng private hospital," the local chief excutive said.

(The price of gasoline, kerosene diesel and everything are increasing so expect the same for everything like services including rates in private hospitals)

The city government is providing medical and financial assistance to indigents residents under the MCG Cares program, according to Garbo.

"Why not grab this opportunity with all of the services being provided by local government of Mabalacat. We should all be practical to make both ends meet," the mayor said.

"We just have to pray that what is happening between Russia and Ukraine will not escalate because we are now being affected by this war," Garbo added.

The mayor said the church, where he belongs, always pray that this war will end soon.

During the flag raising, Garbo also shared to cityhall employees bible verses Galatians 5: 22 to 25.

The mayor read "But the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control, against such things there is no law, and those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

"If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit," Garbo ended.