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The Department of Energy says only vehicles from model year 2015 and earlier, traditional jeepneys, generators and generators, and the marine and shipping industries will be allowed to use Euro-II compliant gasoline products.
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has allowed temporary and limited use of the cheapest but dirtiest form of oil to ensure supplies as it looks for ways to deal with the effects of the Middle East crisis.
The Department of Energy (DOE) said vehicles from model year 2015 and earlier, traditional jeepneys, power plants and generators, and the marine and shipping industries will be allowed to use Euro-II compliant gasoline products.
“The measure is intended to help maintain a continuous, adequate and available fuel supply, while allowing some flexibility for sectors that may be affected,” the DOE said in a statement.
It ordered oil companies that will be supplying Euro II fuel to maintain separation from Euro IV in the storage, transportation and retail systems.
Manila switched to Euro-IV-compliant gasoline from Euro-II in 2016. Euro-IV gasoline, which remains in use, has a sulfur content of 50 parts per million (ppm) versus 500 ppm for Euro-II gasoline.
Last week, thousands of jeepney drivers took to the streets across the country to oppose the more than doubling of domestic diesel prices after the price of oil in the world rose because of the war between the United States and Israel against Iran.
Like many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, the Philippines has taken measures such as shortening the work week and subsidizing fuel to counter the effects of rising costs. Parliament has also given the president emergency powers to suspend or reduce fuel taxes.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said in a video message on Sunday, March 22, that the government is talking to India, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Brunei about possible oil supply plans.
The country, which is heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil for its fuel needs, is set to import Russian oil this month for the first time in five years.
