THE local government of Baguio is continuously monitoring the prices of fuel as an after effect of Typhoon Ompong which hit the region.
In the weekly Ugnayang Panglunsod, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan called on all fuel dealers in the city to refrain from unnecessarily increasing the prices of fuel since this would affect the prices of vegetables coming from Benguet Province.
“We continue to monitor the prices of petroleum products in the city to ensure that no abnormal increases will be done. Director Myrna Pablo have asked me if we are planning to declare a state of calamity in the city to which I said even if we wanted to, we have not reached the criteria’s needed in declaring a state of calamity,” Domogan said.
The road cuts brought about by Typhoon Ompong particularly along Halsema Highway have hampered the delivery of goods resulting to high prices of vegetables, which may also affect the prices of petroleum products in Baguio and a Benguet.
Benguet Provincial Agriculturist Lolita Bentres and Benguet Farmers Marketing Cooperative general manager Augusta Balanoy said the very high price of vegetables is due to the impassable roads but assured there is an ample supply of highland vegetables.
“Even if we do not fit the criteria in declaring a state of calamity, it does not mean that we will not monitor the prices of petroleum products. We are appealing to the petroleum dealers in the city not to take advantage of their clients due to the calamity,” the Mayor added.
Department of Public Works and Highways Cordillera Regional Director Tiburcio Canlas reported during the weekly Talakayan sa Environment Code forum of the departments ongoing efforts in clearing the National and other major road networks in Benguet and the region.