Davao City Establishes Emergency Task Force to Address Oil Price Surge
The City Government of Davao has officially launched the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emergency Socioeconomic Crisis Response, known as IATF-Crisis, in a decisive move to counter the escalating oil price crisis triggered by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. This initiative, enacted through Executive Order No. 7, series of 2026, was spearheaded by Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, who emphasized the urgent need for a coordinated team to prepare and manage response actions and resources effectively.
Legal Framework and Mandate
The executive order references Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, which mandates the state to ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices while protecting consumers from exploitative practices such as hoarding and profiteering. Additionally, it cites Presidential Executive Order No. 110, issued on March 24, 2026, which declared a state of national energy emergency in the Philippines due to geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran. These tensions have driven up oil prices, impacting basic commodities, transportation, and overall economic activities across the nation.
Under the order, the IATF-Crisis is empowered to convene as needed, with or without its subcommittees, to promptly disseminate plans, guidelines, and actions. This ensures a unified government response to the fuel crisis affecting Davao City.
Task Force Composition and Structure
The task force is chaired by Mayor Duterte, with the vice chairperson role assigned to a representative from the City Planning and Development Coordinator. Key members include the City Information Office, City Vice Mayor, City Administrator, City Legal Office, City Engineer's Office, City Accountant's Office, City Budget Office, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government–Davao City Operations Office.
To enhance its operational capacity, the IATF-Crisis will feature several specialized subcommittees:
- Peace, Safety, and Security Committee
- Employment Committee
- Social Intervention Committee
- Economic Committee
- Health and Emergency Committee
- Energy Committee
Responsibilities and Objectives
The primary duties of the IATF-Crisis involve implementing necessary preparations and response actions for any crisis impacting the city. This includes coordinating with the Davao City Price Coordinating Council to monitor commodity prices and prevent exploitative market practices. The task force will also develop and enforce plans to protect both consumers and entrepreneurs, ensuring the availability of necessities and prime commodities while providing support measures for affected communities.
Furthermore, the group will facilitate proper coordination among all government offices to manage and integrate responses effectively, aiming to restore socioeconomic normalcy and maintain peace and order in Davao City.
Funding and Initial Actions
Funding for the IATF-Crisis will be sourced from the available funds of the City Government of Davao, adhering strictly to budgeting, accounting, and auditing regulations. The task force held its inaugural official meeting through an executive session on April 6, 2026, marking the start of its proactive efforts to mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of the oil price hike.
