Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Energy (DOE) has authorized the temporary and controlled introduction of lower-grade Euro 2 petroleum products for select transport and industrial uses amid rising pump prices.
In a news release on Sunday, March 22, the DOE said the contingency measure will help ensure the local fuel supply amid continued volatility in global oil markets, driven by developments in the Middle East.
The agency said it was adopted following consultations with the oil and automotive industries from March 16 to 18.
It said it will not replace the country’s Euro 4 fuel standards but only provides a “narrowly targeted response to external risks affecting specific sectors.”
The government mandated oil firms to shift from Euro 2 to the cleaner Euro 4 fuel in 2016 to improve air quality.
“We are adopting a prudent and temporary measure to help ensure an adequate and accessible fuel supply for sectors that may require limited flexibility during this period,”Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said.
“This interim authority is subject to strict quality controls, clear notification requirements, and appropriate consumer protection measures,” she said.
“Our objective is to uphold fuel supply security while remaining guided by safety, regulatory discipline, and the broader public interest.”
The DOE said the interim use of Euro 2 fuels is limited to in-use vehicle models from 2015 and earlier, traditional jeepneys, industrial applications such as powerplants and generators, and the marine and shipping industry.
The agency said downstream oil industry participants must segregate Euro 2 and Euro 4 fuels, notify the Oil Industry Management Bureau if they intend to sell Euro 2 fuels, and identify the retail outlets where these will be made available.
