Philippines pushes for higher coco-biodiesel blend to strengthen energy security and support coconut farmers
In India, BioEnergy Times reported that the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for an immediate increase in the country’s coco-biodiesel blending requirement from 3% to 5% as part of efforts to strengthen energy security and provide renewed support to the domestic coconut sector.
The proposal is being advanced under Republic Act 9367, or the Biofuels Act of 2006, which promotes the use of biofuels in the country’s energy mix, according to the report.
The proposed transition aims to expand the use of coconut methyl ester (CME), a biodegradable biodiesel produced from coconut oil and blended into petroleum fuels. The Department of Agriculture said CME generates lower sulfur emissions and greenhouse gas output compared with conventional diesel, according to the report.
The National Biofuels Board had earlier suspended the move after international coconut oil prices surged by around 300%. However, the department said current market conditions now support resumption of the transition, it added.
Category: Fuels
