In a sponsorship speech delivered at the Senate expressing his support for the Bio-fuels Act of 2006, Sen. Edgardo J. Angara said crop-based fuels offer the best option to lessen the country’s dependence on imported oil.

"A country like the Philippines that imports 94 percent of its annual oil requirements is one that is at the mercy of constant world price hikes," Angara said.

This year, domestic consumption of oil is expected to reach 126 million barrels. Based on Department of Energy figures, 52.2 percent of total energy supply comes from oil and coal; geothermal power, 21.1 percent; biomass, 16.8 percent; and natural gas, four percent.

However, energy sourced from renewable sources like ethanol, cocodiesel, solar, wind, and hydroelectricity accounts for only 0.8 percent.

"Not one country dominates the bio-fuels market. This is all the more reason why we need to realize that increasing usage of bio-fuels, including diesel and ethanol, is feasible."

"It is inexhaustible, and the technology being developed for its utilization would allow conventional sources to be replaced in full across the entire range of energy sources."

"The Bio-fuels Act of 2006 is timely because it can serve as the official policy for alternative sources of energy in the transport sector even if faced with a variety of challenges, like environmental concerns," Angara said.