Biofuels Board Orders Study on 5% Biodiesel Blend

by Claire-Ann M. C. Feliciano (Business World) The National Biofuels Board (NBB) has tapped an institution within the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) to evaluate the impact of increasing the alternative-fuel content of the biodiesel blend to 5% from the current 2%, an official told reporters late Wednesday.

The NBB -- which consists of representatives of the Energy, Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Science, Labor and Environment departments; the Philippine Coconut Authority; and the Sugar Regulatory Administration -- is mandated by the Biofuels Act of 2006 to review and implement biodiesel blends.

Energy Undersecretary Zenaida Y. Monsada said the study is one of the preparations undertaken by the government to ensure that the increased blend will benefit coconut farmers.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is working on a separate study of the impact of the increased blend. It is expected to be released sometime this year.

She also assured that supply concerns are no longer an issue since the coconut produced in the country is sufficient to accommodate the higher blend.

The coconut oil is milled before converted into coconut methyl ester (CME), which is the country’s version of biodiesel.

The government originally planned to accelerate the implementation of the increased blend last year in response to the calls from various stakeholders.

But implementation took a back seat after typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) hit key production areas in the Central Philippines last year.

The Agriculture department has also been pushing the increased blend to assist the coconut industry.

“The 350,000 MT that will be used for B5 domestically will decrease the importation of diesel from other countries, and we will conserve dollars,” CIIF President Jesus L. Arranza said then. READ MORE