Sta. Cruz mobilizes ₱50M as fuel crisis squeezes households

DIGOS CITY  (April 22) — With fuel costs climbing and daily expenses rising, the local government of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur is moving fast—setting aside ₱50 million to shield residents from the deepening energy crisis.

Municipal Administrator Omar Jason Martel said the town has realigned its Annual Investment Program to fund subsidies and relief for sectors already feeling the strain—from drivers and small businesses to low-income families.

A ₱20-million supplemental budget is now being fast-tracked on the orders of Mayor Jose Nelson Sala to immediately roll out assistance.

“Priority ngayon ang response sa krisis,” Martel said.

Act now, fund later

With no ready surplus, local officials are weighing temporary fund realignments—pausing non-urgent projects to free up cash.

It’s a high-stakes tradeoff: delay development, or risk leaving communities exposed.

Cutting costs, guarding prices

At the same time, the town is tightening controls:

• Government offices cut fuel and power use by up to 20%
• A local task force monitors fuel stations to prevent hoarding, with the Department of Energy
• Price watchdogs are activated alongside the Department of Trade and Industry
• Work shifts to a four-day onsite schedule to reduce travel and consumption

Why it matters

For many households, the crisis is already hitting where it hurts—transport fares, food prices, and take-home pay.

Local leaders say early action is critical.

Vice Mayor Charlotte Gallego joined the announcement, signaling unified action as pressure mounts on both families and local government.

The bottom line

Sta. Cruz is betting that fast, targeted spending can soften the blow.

Because in a fuel crisis, the gap between coping and crisis can close quickly—and for many families, it already has.