Philippines allows use of cheaper, dirtier fuel amid US-Iran tensions

The Philippines Temporarily Uses Cheaper Fuel Amid US-Iran Tensions

Amid rising fuel costs due to the US-Iran conflict, the Philippine government has allowed the temporary use of cheaper but dirtier fuel to maintain a steady supply. This measure targets vehicles from model year 2015 and earlier, traditional jeepneys, power plants, generators, and marine sectors.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has mandated oil companies offering Euro-II fuels to segregate their storage, transport, and retail systems from Euro-IV products. Manila switched to cleaner Euro-IV compliant fuels in 2016, which have a lower sulfur content compared to Euro-II fuels.

Last week, thousands of jeepney drivers across the country protested against the more than doubling of local diesel prices caused by global oil price hikes related to the US-Israel war on Iran.