As rising fuel costs continue to squeeze household budgets, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City is urging barangays to put celebrations on hold—or scale them down—and instead channel fiesta funds into much-needed aid for struggling residents.
The resolution, authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, encourages local communities to suspend, defer, or simplify festivities and instead prioritize measures that cushion the impact of the oil crisis.
City legislators noted that higher fuel prices are driving up the cost of living, placing pressure on transport workers, minimum wage earners, and low-income families.
Distrito stressed that while fiestas remain culturally significant, the current situation demands a shift in priorities—focusing on “food on the table,” “support for drivers,” and “aid for vulnerable sectors” rather than non-essential spending.
Under the measure, barangays are urged to realign fiesta budgets toward fuel subsidies, financial assistance for indigent residents, food distribution, livelihood support, and emergency response efforts.
The council also recommended adopting simpler, community-based celebrations that preserve tradition without straining limited resources.
Distrito clarified that fiestas are “not being cancelled” but should be scaled down for now, with the goal of channeling savings into social support programs until economic conditions stabilize.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.