By: Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Mayor Isko Moreno has directed all public schools in the city to hold graduation ceremonies within their respective campuses to help families avoid additional expenses as global oil supply concerns persist.
The order was issued during a recent management committee meeting, where Moreno instructed the Manila Schools Division Office to ensure that commencement exercises are conducted inside school grounds instead of in rented venues.
Moreno cited escalating tensions in the Middle East and the potential disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage that carries about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply. He warned that any blockade or supply interruption could trigger increases in fuel prices, transportation fares, and the cost of basic commodities.
“Twenty percent of our oil all over the world has a problem with the source of supply,” the mayor said, noting that even slight price hikes could significantly affect household budgets.
The directive is anchored on Executive Order No. 7, which mandates a 50-percent reduction in fuel consumption across all city government departments. Under the order, non-essential travel is prohibited, and government offices are required to implement electricity-saving measures such as reducing lighting use and shifting to online meetings when feasible.
Moreno emphasized the need for prudence and practicality, urging schools to keep graduation rites “as modest and as frugal as we can” to ease the financial burden on parents.
City officials said the move complements broader national efforts to conserve resources amid uncertainty in global energy markets. Residents, meanwhile, are bracing for possible increases in transport fares and the prices of essential goods should oil supply disruptions materialize.
ia/
