Government agencies ordered to use only E10 blend of gasoline

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has ordered all government offices to use only the E10 blend of gasoline for their vehicles as part of the state’s contribution to the promotion of bio-fuels.

The order is contained in Memorandum Circular No. 184 dated Oct. 26.

E10 gasoline is now widely available in gasoline stations nationwide.

E10 refers to gasoline blended with 10 percent bio-ethanol, which is primarily sourced from sugarcane.

The President pointed out that the government is a major user of motor vehicles, hence a mandatory use of E10 gas would go a long way in promoting the use of this type of fuel.

“Bio-ethanol blended with petroleum gasoline fuel can reduce harmful emissions and carbon monoxide, thereby improving air quality,” the circular read.

“The use of bio-ethanol in the petroleum industry will reinvigorate the Philippine sugar industry through the creation of a new domestic market and increased productivity, thereby improving the lives of sugarcane farmers,” it added.

The Department of Energy has been tasked to draw up implementing rules and regulations for the President’s order within 30 days from the effectivity of the circular.

The use of bio-fuels in the country came about after the passage of Republic Act 9367 or the Biofuels Act of 2006.

The law aims to “ensure the availability of alternative and renewable clean energy, without any detriment to the natural ecosystem, biodiversity and food reserves of the country.”

With the passage of the law, more agricultural lands have been set aside for the planting of sugarcane.

While the objective of the law is commendable, the effects are not entirely positive because it adversely affected rice production.

But the government said the law’s success in minimizing carbon monoxide emissions has outweighed the disadvantages.

Moreover, the law is expected to help the country achieve fuel self-sufficiency in the coming years.