The Department of Energy (DOE) is taking steps to increase the ethanol blend in gasoline products from the current level of 10% to 20%. In preparation for this change, the DOE has sought input from industry stakeholders to help establish the Philippine National Standard for gasoline with higher bioethanol content.
DOE Director Rino E. Abad specified that any proposed changes to the specifications must be supported with technical explanation and justification. The DOE is also working with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and other stakeholders to develop the targeted specifications and standards.
The Biofuels Act mandates that all liquid fuels for motors and engines sold in the Philippines contain locally-sourced biofuel components conforming to the PNS. This initiative is aimed at providing value-added income opportunities for Filipino farmers, but challenges related to local supply sourcing of ethanol and competition with the food sector have hindered its full accomplishment.
The initial 10% ethanol blend for gasoline products was implemented more than 20 years ago, and the proposed increase to 20% is intended to align with regional and global standards for fuel quality. The use of sugar cane as a feedstock for bioethanol production has raised concerns about competition with the food sector, which policymakers also aim to address in the long-term utilization of biofuels in the country.
