Benefits of 5% Biodiesel Blend Cited in Study

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will soon present to the Office of the President the findings of a technical working group  (TWG) on the benefits of 5-percent biodiesel blend (B5) on fuels, whose implementation was deferred due to supply and price concerns and impact on coconut farmers, reported a local daily Malaya recently.  

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said findings of the TWG’s study shows increased utilization of coconut oil biodiesel from B2 to B5 will give cars extra mileage.  “While the cost of biodiesel will increase by P0.45 per liter, it will be offset by the benefits,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the World Coconut Congress opening last August 14 at the SMX Convention Center Manila.  He added that the use of B5 will also benefit farmers as it will stabilize the price of copra which is currently in abundance. 

Piñol said the Department of Energy, while supportive of the use of B5, has cited its possible impact on pump prices. “We expect an increase of P0.45 if we shift to B5 but that amount will give a net saving of P2.00 from the benefits.  They only cited that the challenge for this plan is how to properly communicate it to the public,” said Dean Lao, Jr., chairman of the United Coconut Association of the Philippines.  Philippine Coconut Authority Administrator Romulo dela Rosa assured the local coconut industry is capable of supplying the required amount of coco methyl ester for the planned B5 shift.