The government will continue to promote the use of alternative energy in the transport sector particularly biofuels (i. e cocobiodiesel or cocomethyl esther, fuel ethanol and jatropha carcus.)

The President has signed into law RA 9367 or the Biofuels Law that mandates the use of biodiesel and bioethanol nationwide.

At present, biodiesel is already being used nationwide at 1% of the total volume of diesel sold.

This is in accordance with the provision of the Law that, three months after the approval of the Act, a minimum of 1% biodiesel by volume shall be blended into all diesel engine fuels sold in the country. The country has 211.3 million liters per year capacity from 5 accredited biodiesel producers.

Biodiesel requirement in 2007 is 41 million liters at 1% blend. 100% compliance nationwide. Targets:

Within two years from the effectivity of the Act, the Philippine Department of Energy, may mandate a total of 2% blend depending on the results of the study by the national Board created under the Act. Provided that the ethanol and biodiesel blends conform to Philippine National Standard. Two years from the effectivity of the Act, at least 5% bioethanol by volume of the total volume of gasoline fuel sold and distributed by each and every oil company in the country. Within four years from the effectivity of the Act, the Philippine Department of Energy, may mandate a mimimum of 10% blend depending on the results of the study by the national Board created under the Act.

Raw Material Requirement:

For bioethanol, supply of feedstock is initially from sugar based ethanol. With 880,000 liters per day committed capacity from various plants. Other feedstocks considered are sweet sorghum and cassava. For biodiesel, is currently from coconut oil or CME but Jatropha is also being considered.

Current feedstock yield: sugarcane has 23.98 million metric tons, corn has 5.25 million metric tons, and cassava 1.64 million metric tons. Coconut oil production is 1.4 billion liters per year (80% for export and 20% for local use).

Biodiesel requirement : 85 million liters in 2008, 229 million liters in 2010 and 277

million liters per year in 2015.

Further information

Banzon, J. A. and J. R. Velasco, Coconut: production and Utilization, 1982 Philippine Energy Plan 2005-2014 (2006 Update)

Elauria, Jessie C., Policy and Actual Biomass Status in the Philippines. Paper presented during the Biomass Asia Workshop held in Japan

Elauria, J. C., M. L.Y. Castro, M. M. Elauria, S. C. Bhattacharya and P. Abdul Salam (2005). Assessment of Sustainable Energy Potential of Non-Plantation Biomass Resources in the Philippines. Volume 29. September 2005. pp. 191-198.