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DOE adopt interim fuel measure to protect energy security
Date published: Mar 23 2026 01:00 AM
MEDIA RELEASE
22 March 2026
DOE adopt interim fuel measure to protect energy security
The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued Department Circular No. DC2026-03-0010, authorizing the temporary and controlled introduction of Euro II/2 petroleum products for selected transport and industrial uses as a contingency measure to help safeguard the country’s fuel supply amid continued volatility in global oil markets.
The Circular was issued in response to developments in the Middle East, which continue to strain global petroleum markets. The DOE said the measure is intended to help maintain a continuous, adequate, and accessible fuel supply, while allowing limited flexibility for sectors that may be affected.
The Department emphasized that the authority is interim, narrowly targeted, and strictly regulated. It does not replace the country’s Euro IV fuel standards, which remain in force under existing laws and regulations. Rather, it provides a narrowly targeted response to external risks affecting specific sectors.
“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,” said Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin. “This interim authority is subject to strict quality controls, clear notification requirements, and appropriate consumer protection measures. Our objective is to uphold fuel supply security while remaining guided by safety, regulatory discipline, and the broader public interest.”
Under the Circular, the interim use of Euro II/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.
To prevent misuse and preserve product integrity, downstream oil industry participants are required to maintain full segregation of Euro II/2 and Euro IV/4 fuels across storage, transport, and retail systems. Participants intending to offer Euro II/2 fuels must also notify the DOE, through the Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB), and identify the retail outlets where such products will be made available.