Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star)
- June 6, 2016 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The Department
of Energy (DOE) has ordered all manufacturers of coconut methyl ester (CME), to
comply with quality standards to ensure the country’s commitment to reduce
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are met and reduce dependence to imported fuel.
CME, also known as biodiesel, is a
renewable and biodegradable diesel fuel extracted from plant oil which would
substantially help in reducing emissions from diesel-fed engines. In the
country, biodiesel is made from coconut oil.
The agency published Department
Circular No. DC2016-05-0006 signed by DOE Secretary Zenaida Monsada last month
titled “Implementing the Modified Philippine National Standard Specification
for Biofuels - Coconut Methyl Ester (PNS/DOE QS 002:2015).”
The circular stated manufacturers
should only produce and sell CME conforming to the latest standard, PNS/DOE QS
002:2015.
Sought for comment, Department of
Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) director Melita Obillo said
the DOE made mandatory the compliance with the PNS for CME products.
“Even with the PNS (Philippine
National Standards), it was not mandatory without a circular. With the
issuance, all manufacturers should strictly follow the specifications of their
CME product sold in the market,” Obillo said.
Under the circular, CME
manufacturers should ensure their products have a Certificate of Quality,
“indicating the properties of the delivered coconut ethyl ester, which should
be in compliance with the PNS.”
Non-compliance with the circular
could affect the accreditation or certification with the DOE, Obilio said.
“There are also penalties under the
Biofuels Act of 2006,” she said.
The Biofuels Act, or Repbulic Act
9367, mandates the amount of coconut oil for fuel to be blended with diesel may
be increased taking into account such considerations as domestic supply and
availability of locally sourced biodiesel.
Currently, the biodiesel blend is at
two percent since 2009.
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