Compulsory use of biofuels in transport sector pushed

In a bid to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuels, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has sought the immediate approval by Congress of a measure mandating the compulsory use of biofuels, such as biodiesel in the transport sector.

Santiago, chairman of the Senate committee on energy, said the passage of Senate Bill 2007, otherwise known as the Biofuels Act of 2005, is necessary to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel products, by promoting the domestic production of biofuels, such as coco-biodiesel or coconut methyl ester (CME) and ethanol.

Santiago’s call came at about the same time that Sen. Mar Roxas urged the use of coco-biodiesel as an alternative use of fuel in the country.

In a statement, Santiago said the proposed Biofuels Act authored by herself mandates the blending of one percent to five percent biodiesel with all diesel distributed, sold and used as motor fuel. It also provides for the compulsory blending of five percent to 10 percent of ethanol fuel with all gasoline distributed, sold and used as motor fuel in the country.

Santiago’s statement came on the heels of the conclusion of the Asia Biofuels Conference which was held in Makati City on Dec. 6 to 8.

"We welcome the renewed commitment of Sen. Santiago to make alternative fuels, especially biodiesel, available to the motorists," said Cris Michelena, convenor of The Philippine Biodiesel Association (TPBA).

The newly formed group is pushing for the mandatory pre-blending of biodiesel to help revive the coconut industry and improve the lives of 25 million farmers who depend on coconut farming for their livelihood.

The coconut-derived Biodiesel is found to have superior qualities as diesel fuel based on studies and tests conducted by, among others, the United States Department of Energy — National Renewable Energy Laboratory (USDOE-NREL) and the Nihon University of Japan.

"There are many advantages to the use of coco Biodiesel," Michelena said. "First, it reduces hydrocarbon and particulate matter emissions, which are the biggest contributors to air pollution. Second, it increases engine efficiency by giving more mileage to the vehicle. Most of all, it will revive the coconut industry," he added.

Coco biodiesel, which is already being produced in the Philippines by local businesses, is derived from coconut oils. Other types of biodiesel can also be sourced from other vegetables such as soybean and even animal fats. In the Philippines, CME is already being locally produced for use as motor fuel as certified by the Department of Energy according o established Philippine National Standards.

"If we blend biofuels with gasoline and diesel, then we can significantly decrease the amount of petroleum products we import from other countries," Santiago said.

"This will be really good for the country because we can save a lot of money and use the savings for social services," Santiago said.

Since biofuels come from indigenous agricultural products such as coconut and sugar, this measure is expected to boost the livelihood of our coconut and sugar farmers, Santiago said.

The senator stressed that the use of ethanol-gasoline or biodiesel mixes as fuel for motor vehicles is "technically sound."

Once enacted into law, the Biofuels Act mandates that the distribution, sale and use of gasoline or diesel without the mandatory blends of biofuels will be prohibited. The DOE will have the power to confiscate any amount of fuel that does not comply with the compulsory mixes of biofuels.

To encourage private entities to invest in the production of biofuels and the distribution of biofuel blends at and beyond the minimum levels, Santiago sought for the grant of incentives to them.

"Entities engaged in the production of biofuels can be exempted from the payment of certain tariffs and duties for period of ten years," Santiago said.

"Government financial institutions should also give high priority on extending financing to entities that engage in production of biofuel and biofuel feedstocks," she added.

Santiago pointed out that these biofuels are also cleaner-burning alternatives to fossil fuels. "Blending them with fossil fuels will mitigate the toxic gas and greenhouse gas emissions of motor vehicles, thus, improving our air quality," she said.

Under the bill, a National Biofuel Board will be created to review and assess the impact of the use of biofuels and the feasibility of increasing the mandated minimum blends.