House panel steps up hearings on energy security

MANILA, Philippines - Lawmakers have speeded up deliberations on various bills on biofuels, natural gas and other cleaner sources of power, as well as similar measures to promote the country’s energy security.

Congressmen led by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, chairman of the committee on energy in the House of Representatives, held a series of public hearings, the latest of which was last Friday, to allow the committee to come up with consolidated energy bills for plenary approval.

Biofuels and natural gas are touted as cleaner sources of fuel. Biofuels come from biological organisms or their wastes while natural gas is formed from plants and gases buried underground. Natural gas has lower emissions and is thus a more ecofriendly source of fuel.

Among those discussed was House Bill 5587, which aims to exempt natural gas power plants from section five of the Biofuels Act of 2006, or Republic Act 9367.

The law mandates the use of biofuels in all liquid fuels for transport and engines.