Phl launch coco-biofuel to cut emissions

MANILA, Philippines  (Xinhua) - The government launched today an improved coco-biodiesel blend that will help in reducing carbon emissions, expand the local coconut industry and reduce the country's dependence to imported fuel.

Shortly after getting the approval of the National Biofuels Board (NBB) to increase the mandated biodiesel blend from 2 percent to 5 percent, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and University of the Philippines-National Center for Transportation Studies (UP-NCTS)launched the on-road test of B5 - diesel fuel that contains 5 percent biofuel - in public transport vehicles. Seven jeepneys were selected by the PCA and Department of Energy ( DOE) to road test the B5 in the next 25 days.

PCA Administrator Euclides G. Forbes said in the first five days of the 25-day on-road test that the jeepney drivers will use the existing 2 percent coco biodiesel blend (B2). In the succeeding 20 days, these jeepneys will be using B5. After the 25- day on-road test, the participating jeepneys shall be tested for fuel economy and power efficiency. A staff of the UP-NCTS will accompany each participating jeepney driver to compare emission performance of B2 and B5 biodiesel fuel blends.

Forbes said the mandated use of coco-biofuels will boost local consumption of coconut oil and increase farmers income.

He added it will reduce dependence on imported fuel, protect public health and promote sustainable growth.

He estimates that raising the blend to 5 percent will create over 37,000 jobs, boosting demand for workers in farms, coconut milling plants and biofuel manufacturing companies.

Coconut farmers will also benefit from the P4.83 million ($111,470) per year from the lien collected through the Social Amelioration and Welfare Program.

"As to the B5 blend, the visible cloud of black smoke consisting of carbon and sulfur particulates is reduced by as much as 80 percent," Forbes said.

The Philippines pioneered the use of biofuels in Asia. Since 1983, the staff of PCA, the science and technology and energy departments have been conducting research and experiments on the use of coco biodiesel.

In May 2001, the agriculture department implemented the Biodiesel Development Project to test the viability of coconut biodiesel as engine fuel. The test results showed a reduction of around 50 percent on emissions.

The passage of the Biofuels Act of 2006 mandating the blending of coconut methyl ester (CME) in all locally distributed diesel. The law aims to promote the country's aim to reduce dependency on imported oil by making use of  indigenous and abundant sources of energy such as coconut oil. The Philippines is a key coconut producer and exporter, and in 2012 shipped out over 850,000 tons of coconut oil.

In 2007, the Philippines implemented a mandatory one-percent blend (B1) of coco biodiesel and increased to 2 percent (B2) in 2009.  This year, following agriculture officials assurance that the local industry can supply enough coconut oil to power the transport sector, the NBB approved the mandated biodiesel blend to 5 percent (B5).