Santiago, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, said the passage of Senate Bill 2007, known also as the Biofuels Act of 2005, is a necessary measure that would address the country’s need for fuel.

She also said the success of tapping alternative fuel sources, such as coco-biodiesel and ethanol, would lessen the country’s dependence on crude oil being imported at a very high cost.

Roxas, chairman of the Committee on Trade and Commerce, filed Senate Bill 2178 or the Alternative Fuel Incentives Act to encourage the people to use alternative fuel sources by establishing alternative refueling stations to stave-off negative effects of high cost of crude oil in the world market.

In a statement, Roxas observed that the Philippines depends on oil as a primary fuel source for transportation, importing at least 126 million barrels of crude oil and other petroleum products worth at least $ 5 billion last year.

SB 2178 identified as alternative fuels compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, electricity, and coco biodiesel.

Cris Michelena, convenor of the Philippine Biodiesel Association, said the group welcomes Santiago’s commitment to make alternative fuel, such as biodiesel, available to motorists.

In SB 2007, Santiago proposed that at least 1% to 5% biodiesel be blended into all diesel distributed, sold and used as motor fuel. She also proposed that 5 to 10% of ethanol fuel be blended in all gasoline fuel.

Coco Biodiesel, which is already being produced in the Philippines by local businesses, is derived from coconut oils. Other types of Biodiesel can also be sourced from other vegetables such as soybean and even animal fats.

In the Philippines, coco-biodiesel or coconut methyl ester (CME) is being locally produced for use as motor fuel as certified by the Department of Energy. (Jude C. Galford III)