The PFEA also asserted that ethanol use will even help enhance the environment with ethanol’s cleaner emissions compared to fossil fuel spewing profuse carbon dioxide into the air.

"The use of ethanol up to 10 percent has been determined acceptable if the fuel conforms with all other distillation and volatility requirements and is permitted by existing regulation," noted PFEA referring to the Worldwide Fuel Charter endorsed by engine makers worldwide including the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.

The Chamber of Automobile Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) has expressed fear earlier that car manufacturers may not support a mandatory use of biofuels including ethanol and coconut diesel and that any such mandate may not give consumers a free choice on the use of their preferred fuel.

Besides car manufacturers may not be given enough time to prepare for the transition including consumers’ education on the ethanol mix’s compatibility with existing vehicles.

Supporting House Bill (HB) 4629 or the Biofuels Bill, the PFEA said, however, that a two-year preparation period for the effectivity of the envisioned law after its passage has been provided so that ethanol feedstock producers, alcohol processors, oil companies, and car manufactures can be given time to prepare.

"Every major automaker in the world approves the use of up to 10 percent ethanol-blended gasoline under warranty. The Automobile Manufacturer Fuel Recommendations (AMFR) provides an authoritative list of vehicles suitable and not suitable for E10 use," said PFEA.

Many countries including world’s largest ethanol producer Brazil, US, Canada, and China have been supporting a shift in fuel use in favor of crop-based sources (sugarcane, corn) in order to save from the prevailing high cost of petroleum fuel and also enhance the environment.

The ethanol alliance said that major vehicle manufacturers have released official statements claiming that a maximum of 10 percent ethanol blend is compatible with their vehicles and even allow vehicles to meet fuel’s octane requirements and comply with mandatory fuel quality standards set by government.

HB 4629 filed by Bukidnon Rep. Miguel Zubiri was earlier approved by the Lower House and is expected by the Sugar Regulatory Administration to be passed within the first half of the year.

Car manufacturers are also concerned that oil companies are reportedly requiring a clear policy on who should take responsibility for any damage on vehicles with the use of the ethanol blend.

But aside from its compatibility to machines, PFEA said that consumers can even take advantage of the lower cost of biofuels.

Several car manufacturers — Ford, General Motors, and DaimlerChrysler — have made a thrust to produce flex-fuel vehicles (FFV) that can run on gasoline, ethanol, and a combination of both.

"Considering the unabated high prices of gasoline and projected lower pump-price cost of ethanol, FFVs shall greatly benefit consumers," the PFEA said.

The alliance even contested a claim of Jeff Matsuo, head of the government and regulations section of Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. who stated that Toyota is not supportive of ethanol.