TAGBILARAN CITY – Members of the National Biofuel Board (NBB) are optimistic that by 2030, the country will attain a 20 percent biofuel mix for its diesel fuel.

Coconut is a main source of coco-methyl ester (CME), a component for biodiesel; and sugarcane bagasse is a major source of biomass, from which biofuel is extracted, according to the PCA and SRA.

To date, the country's liquid fuel contains 2 percent biofuel for diesel and 10% bio-ethanol, as mandated by law, the NBB said the over-all plan is increasing it to 20 percent by 2030.

Biofuel as defined refers to bioethanol and biodiesel, or other fuels made from biomass and primarily used for motive, thermal and power generation, with quality specifications in accordance with the Philippine National Standards (PNS).

A clean fuel source, Biofuel is being developed as part of the country's effort to wean away from expensive imported fossil fuel by using indigenous, sustainably-sourced out indigenous and renewable energy.

Since the Biofuel Act of 2006 took effect, all liquid fuels sold for motors and engines in the country have contained increasing amounts of locally sourced bio-fuel blends, DOE's Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) director Mario Marasigan said.

At the recently concluded NBB workshop at the Bohol Tropics, Marasigan said all liquid fuels in the country today have 1 percent to 2 percent bio-fuel blend in biodiesel.

Also, there is already some 10 percent bioethanol blended in gasoline, and as planned, it would hit the 85 percent target by 2030 as stated in the National Renewable Energy Plan.*PIA