Cheaper fuels may impact public health

MANILA, Philippines — The clamor for more affordable fuels to address inflation should not be to the possible detriment of public health, according to Environment Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna.

During a recent Kamayan para sa Kalikasan forum in Quezon City, Cuna noted while the intention to curb inflation is noble, there is need to review and even reconsider the approach due to reasons both legal and medical.

“We cannot regress and compromise air quality,” Cuna said.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board approved the increase in jeepney and bus fares early November, months after the Department of Energy reintroduced Euro-2 grade fuels – a move somehow contrary to provisions in the Clean Air Act.

“The law states that only Euro 4 fuels should be used and sold in the market. And we have actually upgraded our standards. We should do everything we can to sustain that position in view of the health impacts of reintroducing Euro-2 diesel fuels,” Cuna explained.

Since 2016, only Euro-4 fuels are allowed to be marketed in gasoline stations in the country, and all engines that have been imported, manufactured and installed in vehicles are required to be Euro-4 compliant as mandated by the Clean Air Act.

Euro-2 may be cheaper, but it is a lower standard fuel that has been proven to be less safe in view of the pollutants it releases into the atmosphere.

Cuna said that while the energy department is tasked “to determine fuel mixes,” the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is the lead agency when it comes to implementing the Clean Air Act.

The DOE released the order endorsing the return of Euro-2 fuels last Aug. 10. Cuna lamented it may have overlooked the efforts of the DENR to improve air quality in the desire to make fuel prices affordable.

The World Health Organization has declared that diesel exhaust fumes are cancerous. A number of European cities have banned gasoline and diesel-fed cars as green initiatives spread across continents. - Rex Arcadio San Diego II