PCA, UP-NCTS start testing 5% biodiesel

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the National Center for Transportation Studies of the University of the Philippines (UP-NCTS) has begun  testing the use of the five percent biodiesel blend as approved by the National Biofuels Board.

To be used in the road test are passenger jeepneys that are in good condition. These will be inspected at the North Motor vehicle Inspection Center (NMVIC) of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for roadworthiness and compliance to emission standards.

The road test will run for 25 days. For the first five days, the test jeepneys will make use of the existing blend (B2). In the succeeding 20 days, these jeepneys will be fuelled with the five percent – coco methyl ester (CME) biodiesel blend (B5).

After 25 days, the participating jeepneys will be tested for fuel economy and power efficiency. Opacity tests shall also be conducted to compare emission performance of B2 and B5 biodiesel fuel blends.

PCA administrator Euclides G. Forbes said the use of the five percent biofuel blend would strengthen the local coconut industry by increasing demand for coconut oil.

“This aims to reduce the independence on imported fuels with due regard to the protection of public health, the environment and the natural ecosystems consistent with the country’s sustainable economic growth that would expand opportunities for livelihood,” he said.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala earlier expressed confidence that the industry can supply the coconut oil requirement for the production of coco methyl ester which will be used for blending.