Unioil

MANILA, Philippines - Independent oil players Eastern Petroleum Corp. and Unioil Philippines Inc. are challenging the country’s oil giants to follow their lead and offer higher quality and cleaner Euro 4 diesel products at regular prices.

The two firms have jointly launched in their Metro Manila retail stations the first ever Euro 4 diesel products in the country.

EPC chairman Fernando Martinez said the new Euro 4 products will be sold at Eastern’s 25 stations at no extra cost. Unioil will also offer the products in 25 of its stations in Metro Manila.

Martinez said they jointly import the Euro 4 diesel products with Unioil to make it more cost efficient adding that all of their Euro 2 diesel products have been phased out.

He said they will be importing some 40 million liters of Euro 4 products every month. They also hope to offer similar grade of gasoline products within the year.

"I am calling and challenging our bigger partners in the industry to follow the same path without charging more to consumers. Its about time that we set aside some business gains in favor of a cleaner air," he said.

At present, the country's oil firms only are Euro 2 compliant. In Europe, all oil companies are carrying Euro 5 products. Euro 4, which could have 90 percent less sulfur content, is guaranteed to lower the emission of impurities by as much as 60 percent.

Martinez said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted the test on two pick-up utility vehicle which has been in use for three to five years.

"After draining the fuel tanks and filling them with Euro IV, the vehicles were allowed to test drive within Metro Manila. After two hours of continuous driving, emission test from DENR conducted last February 10 and 14 showed significant results,” said Martinez noting emission of impurities were reduced by as much as 60 percent.