Arroyo leads launch of coco-biodiesel

President Arroyo rallied Filipinos yesterday to band together to mitigate the impact of surging oil prices as she led the launching of coco-biodiesel as a cheaper alternative fuel at Flying V’s pumping station in Cainta, Rizal.

"I would like to call on our people to clearly appreciate the looming crisis arising from the unabated prices of oil in the world market. Let us face this challenge squarely and close ranks," she said.

The President said Filipinos should conserve energy and support all means to bring down consumption of energy and exploit alternative sources of fuel.

Mrs. Arroyo inaugurated Flying V’s "B1 diesel" or "Envirotek bio-diesel premium" and witnessed how several vehicles reduced smoke emission within 30 minutes after being filled up with the environment-friendly fuel.

B1 diesel is blended with one percent coconut methyl ester (CME), or coco-biodiesel.

"For every full tank, you save almost P120 and this is very important because crude prices have already reached $65 per barrel in America. One year and a half ago it was only $30. So we need to look for other sources of fuel like biodiesel," the President said.

Mrs. Arroyo congratulated Flying V for being the first oil company to offer B1 diesel, and Chemrez Inc. for producing coco-biodiesel.

The President also visited Chemrez’s coco-biodiesel plant in Quezon City, which is Asia’s first continuous biodiesel plant. Once completed in the first quarter of 2006, it will have a capacity of 60 million liters per year.

Chemrez’s P650-million investment in the facility was recently awarded pioneer status by the Board of Investments.

In Baguio City, Flying V also inaugurated yesterday its coco-biodiesel pumping station on Ambuklao Road.

Perfecto Itliong Jr., of the Philippine Clean Cities Program and head of a Baguio City jeepney organization, said jeepney operators have been clamoring for the product since February.

Jing Raymundo, Flying V’s business representative, said Flying V will try to build more bio-diesel pumping stations in the cities of Cebu, Davao, Marikina and Makati before moving on to other areas.

The government has lauded the benefits of B1 diesel, including a conservative 10 percent increase in mileage based on field tests.

"At today’s prices, a 10 percent mileage increase translates into savings of P2.39 per liter or P119.50 for every full tank of 50 liters," Chemrez and Flying V said.

B1 diesel production would also translate into 70 million liters of coco-diesel each year, valued at P4.2 billion, which means added revenues for the coconut industry.

The government added that the use of B1 diesel is a big step toward energy independence.

"A 10 percent conservative mileage increase can reduce annual consumption of diesel fuel by 636 million liters valued at approximately P16 billion," it said. — With Andy Zapata Jr.