PCA pushes for B5 instead of B2, IPPCA says no way

In the Philippines, the Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association (IPPCA) opposed the plan of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to increase the biodiesel amount to B5 from B2.

“With Euro 4, there is no compelling reason to add or increase the biodiesel blend, given that the current diesel standard is already very clean,” IPPCA said in a statement sent to BusinessWorld. “At the same time, increasing the blend will have an impact on the price of diesel to go up. Thus, why should motorist made to subsidize another industry?”

Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol earlier told Business World that the PCA sent a resolution to President Rodrigo R. Duterte asking for the National Biofuels Board (NBB) to raise the biofuel requirement from B2 to B5. While the increase in biodiesel would improve air quality and vehicle mileage, it would also mean fuel prices would go up slightly by about P0.30 (about $.005), according to Piñol.