Are We Ready for Clean Fuels?

PUBLICUS Co., Limited recently hosted an open forum regarding the use of alternative and clean fuels in the country. Dubbed as "Spin-Off, Are We Ready for Clean Fuels?" the said forum aims to tackle the issues surrounding the use of alternative and cleaner fuels in the country. It also promises to hold forums like these when there are pressing issues, so as to provide a venue for openly discussing them.

"The forum hopes to bring together the country’s political leaders and experts from the country’s fuel industry, along with industry associations concerned with the issue," PUBLICUS General Manager Malou Tiquia said in a statement. Specifically, the forum will discuss efforts promoting the use of Biofuels in the country following the recent surge of oil prices in the world market.

Indeed, attendees of the forum include various representatives from the automotive, fuel, and consumer sectors. Heading the pack of speakers was no less than Senate Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Jr., who gave a discourse about ethanol being readily available in the Philippines. On the other hand, Department of Energy’s (DOE) Mario Marasigan thoroughly discussed the ongoing efforts of the Philippine Government to promote the use of ethanol, bio diesel, and natural gas. Last, but not the least, Mr. Jeff Matsuo of Toyota Motor Philippines represented the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers in the Philippines (CAMPI).

Discussing further on the topic, Pimentel said in his speech that ethanol is readily available in the Philippines, through the surplus sugar produce available. In fact, there were a handful of sugar manufacturers in the country who are willing to convert their sugar mills into ethanol producing centers for one million dollars average cost. This, together with legislation, will add many steps to the country’s effort in advocating alternative fuels as a means of reducing its dependence on imported fuel, which exhausts the country’s dollar reserves. Pimentel further stressed that the shift to ethanol must be done gradually and not abruptly so as not to induce premature damage to vehicles.

Marasigan, on the other hand, discussed in full detail his agency’s contribution to the countrywide initiative of promoting the use of alternative and cleaner fuels. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is readily available in the country via the Malampaya Power Plant, which could power CNG buses. Other efforts under the DOE’s tutelage include the promotion of ethanol blended with gasoline, and continued research and development of bio diesel, which again, is readily available here in the country with coconut as the raw material.

Matsuo, being the CAMPI representative, was quick to point out that modern, more environmentally friendly vehicles will be available as long as the fuel quality available in the country improves. Through a series of slides, he was quick to point out that the fuel available in the country does not even meet the ASEAN fuel standards. Although fuel quality in the Philippines is quite poor, automotive manufacturers are doing everything they can so that their vehicles could compensate for it. He also stressed that vehicles made under the CAMPI umbrella could very well accommodate alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel but just like Sen. Pimentel said, implementation should be gradual so that adverse effects, if any, could be minimized.

A healthy open discussion followed the talks of the three people. People from the fuel sector had expressed the message that they are ready for cleaner fuels, but they need lead time in doing so, as they have to perform additions to their refineries to comply with requirements. Consumer representatives, on the other hand, are quite repressive in this effort as there is no existing law that will protect their rights in the event their vehicles malfunction upon use of alternative fuels such as ethanol.

Despite the possible drawbacks that will probably lengthen the time frame of this country to shift to alternative fuel, the main thrust of implementing it as soon as possible remains, despite other problems such as politics. After all, it will be the entire country that will benefit from this, as this will again, greatly reduce its dependence to imported fuel, and thus, save precious dollar reserves for other important projects.