Negros Oriental capitol restricts travel, nonessential activities amid fuel crisis

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Negros Oriental is the first of the three provinces comprising the Negros Island Region to impose restrictions on official travels and nonessential activities to cut fuel consumption amid the Middle East crisis.

Negros Oriental Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria on Monday, April 6, issued Executive Order No. 32, or the Official Travel Austerity and Energy Conservation Order of 2026.

In his three-page order, Sagarbarria said that the present situation prompted the provincial government to impose measures aimed at reducing fuel consumption, prioritizing essential public services, and ensuring prudent use of government resources.

The order suspends, defers, or shifts online the following activities:

• official travel
• field visits
• delegations and attendance at ceremonies
• conferences
• seminars
• training sessions
• bench markings
• meetings or similar undertakings

Meanwhile, the order said no provincial department, office, or unit may schedule or participate in the following events needing transportation, fuel, electricity, or venue use without authorization from the governor:

• nonessential group activities
• celebrations
• assemblies
• team-building
• courtesy calls
• ceremonial functions

The following activities are exempted under the order:

• emergency response
• public health
• peace and order
• disaster risk reduction
• social protection
• revenue-generation
• legally mandated functions
• time-sensitive service delivery
• essential governance

For now, only indispensable out-of-the-province trips that cannot reasonably be postponed or conducted remotely will be allowed.

The provincial administrator, along with the respective heads of the Provincial General Services Office, Provincial Budget Office, and Provincial Accountant’s Office, was tasked to monitor the compliance of all provincial workers. – Rappler.com