By Joann Villanueva
MANILA – The Philippines continues to have sufficient fuel supply and multiple sourcing options, prompting oil firms not to resort to importing the less clean and less efficient Euro 2 fuel, energy officials said Wednesday.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, in an online briefing, said the Department of Energy (DOE) issued an advisory allowing the importation of Euro 2 fuel only in cases where Euro 4 fuel — the cleaner and more efficient standard — is unavailable due to supply disruptions stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.
“This is a stopgap measure to address the spike in prices, for the meantime we can have the option. It’s not like the government is importing but all the industries or oil companies that would want can import,” she said in a mix of Filipino and English.
During the same briefing, DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad said the option had been raised by oil firms during earlier consultations with the agency.
However, Abad noted that no industry player has so far notified the DOE of any actual plans to import Euro 2 fuel.
“This means that supply of Euro 4 remains sufficient,” he said, adding that Euro 4 fuel is recommended for vehicles manufactured since 2016.
The DOE officials also said additional fuel deliveries are expected to bolster domestic supply this month.
As of April 10, DOE data showed that domestic fuel stocks remain adequate: gasoline at 54 days, diesel at 49 days, kerosene at 104 days, jet fuel at 68 days, fuel oil at 46 days, and liquefied petroleum gas at 36 days.
Garin said the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) has recently ordered additional LPG supply.
She also said PNOC’s additional fuel cargoes — covering the third and fourth shipments — are scheduled to arrive within the month, sourced from North Asia and Southeast Asia.
Subsidy
Garin also urged qualified public utility vehicle drivers to personally avail of fuel subsidies by bringing their jeepneys to participating fuel stations.
She said the PHP10 fuel discount is currently available in the National Capital Region and expressed hope it will be rolled out nationwide next week.
Power situation
On the power supply outlook during the dry season, Garin assured the public that “there will be no power interruption because of the diesel price” as coordination continues with power plants regarding maintenance schedules.
She added that only about 3 percent of power consumers rely on diesel, primarily through generator sets in off-grid areas.
Garin said DOE officials met with National Power Corporation officials during the day to ensure diesel supply for power generation remains available at lower cost. (PNA)
