National Biofuels Board Suspends Hike in Coco Biodiesel Blend

The Philippines’ National Biofuels Board (NBB) has recommended to put on hold the increase in the biofuels blend to 4 percent in October due to the surge in feedstock prices which could make fuel more expensive. In a press briefing last week, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) said the NBB proposed in its recent meeting the suspension of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) guidelines which mandated the increase in coconut methyl ester (CME) blend to 4 percent (B4).
THE Department of Energy (DOE) said over the weekend last week that there will be a “periodic review” of the biofuel increases, following the NBB decision to suspend the mandated increase in coco-methyl ester (CME) blend in diesel fuel. The NBB is composed of the DOE secretary as chairman and the secretaries of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture, Department of Finance, Department of Labor and Employment, and the administrators of the Philippine Coconut Authority and Sugar Regulatory Administration, as members.
Chemrez Technologies Inc., the country’s largest biodiesel manufacturer, said the industry awaits a more definite date for the resumption of the B4 mandate. However, it would need at least five months to prepare for implementation. “Coconut is our feedstock for Biodiesel, and the El Niño of 2024 adversely affected supplies in 2025. The NBB and PCA have evaluated the supply situation and have given a sensible recommendation to postpone B4,” said Chemrez president Dean Lao Jr.