MANILA, Sept 20 (PNA) — The Energy department said it sees a decision could be reached by the end of the year for the increased biodiesel blend of 5 percent (B5).
“The decision could be issued this year, but the implementation will be next year,” officer-in-charge (OIC) secretary Zenaida Monsada said in a press conference.
The new blend will increase the coco methyl ester (CME) content to 5 percent from the current 2 percent.
The OIC said the department is still awaiting the results of the cost-impact study, which was conducted for the revenue concerns of the farmers.
Monsada warned on February that the new blend will affect the price of biodiesel.
She also explained that the objective of the Biofuels Act of 2006 is to improve the quality of life of the agricultural sector in the countryside.
The law mandates the minimum blend of biodiesel sourced from coconut, or CME, in all diesel products, and its gradual increase over time to reduce dependence on imported fuels.
B5 was initially targeted to be implemented in 2013, but was blocked by soaring coconut prices due to several storms that affected the industry. (PNA)