Duque questions DOE order on sale of ‘dirtier’ diesel fuel

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III assailed the Department of Energy (DOE) on Friday for not getting his office’s input on the possible health impact of its order to oil companies last week to again offer to the public the cheaper but dirtier Euro 2-compliant diesel fuel.

“That’s lamentable … Where the health of our people is concerned, the DOH has to be in the loop in the policy formulation and whatever program interventions that may be rolled out,” Duque said.

The DOE move is meant “to help reduce fuel prices” at a time when the inflation has reached a five-year high of 5.7 percent. Compared to the Euro 4-compliant diesel available in the market, diesel fuel that passed the 22-year-old Euro 2 standards is cheaper by only P0.30. —JOVIC YEE