By CESAR JOLITO III
Efforts are underway to mitigate the effects of increasing fuel costs, particularly in industries heavily dependent on fuel, such as transportation, logistics and delivery services, the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) said.
MBCCI President Juliana Carbon said the local private sector is working closely with the government to help cushion the impact of rising fuel prices on businesses and essential services.
Carbon said the government is implementing measures aimed at stabilizing fuel supply and controlling costs, while the private sector is also stepping in to support initiatives that could lessen the burden on businesses and consumers.
“Transport industries and businesses with fuel-dependent production processes are the most impacted,” Carbon added, noting that industries have previously managed similar situations through gradual operational adjustments.
She noted that while fuel rationing had been considered in the past, authorities are prioritizing ensuring adequate supply to prevent disruptions unless the situation significantly worsens.
“Of course, we expect price increases will affect operational and production costs across sectors,” Carbon said.
She said a P10 increase per liter of fuel will add approximately P8,000 to ferry operators’ daily operating expenses if they consume around 800 liters of fuel per day.
This will sum up to about P240,000 monthly — costs that could eventually lead to fare adjustments.
Utilities are also feeling the pressure.
Carbon pointed out that some water districts rely on fuel-powered equipment for deep wells, making them vulnerable to fuel price fluctuations.
The committee is currently gathering feedback from businesses nationwide to relay industry concerns and recommendations to national authorities.
4-day work week ‘not practical’
Meanwhile, Carbon said proposals for a four-day work week as an energy-saving measure may not be practical for all sectors.
She explained that businesses operating around the clock — such as dry storage facilities handling between 100,000 and 220,000 parcels daily for online orders — cannot reduce operating days without affecting delivery timelines and consumer demand.
Such adjustments could also impact riders and workers in the delivery sector, who are already coping with higher fuel expenses.
“The government needs the cooperation of the private sector to address this problem effectively,” Carbon said.
Local government units have started to adopt the compressed work schedule, as mandated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as part of the national government’s contingency measures to address the impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis on the country./CJ, WDJ