The Philippines is the first Southeast Asian country to put in place a law on biofuels. As a response to the energy crisis faced globally, the Alternative Fuels Program was born. This aims to achieve energy independence by exploring alternative fuels.1 The question now is: where is the Philippines in terms of energy consumption?

Tuba-tuba (Jatropha curcas) is a good source of biofuel.

According to Karunungan², as of 2007, the country consumes 80% of fuel for transport. This contributes to poor air because of smoke-belching vehicles. In the long run, this can also affect people’s health. On an economic note, there is a need to reduce Philippines' dependence on imported oil which costs millions of pesos yearly.

Biofuels as alternative is an attractive solution. Most popular example is the tuba-tuba plant (Jatropha curcas). Its oil can easily be processed to replace or be mixed with petroleum-based diesel.

The Philippines' Department of Energy (DOE) has already accredited 2,080 ha for jatropha plantation. The accreditation is conducted so as not to jeopardize the agriculture sector, specifically the production of food crops. Biofuels can potentially threaten food supplies if land conversion for biofuel plantation is done intensively. Increased biofuel production may also lead to deforestation, excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, and loss of diversity.

The DOE envisions 20% use of biodiesel and 20-85% use of ethanol by 2030. This is based on their 2009 target of 2% biodiesel and 5% ethanol use. If the Philippines deems biofuels as the way forward, there is a need to strengthen strategic alliances with countries successfully implementing biofuels program.

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Endnotes:

¹ Based on the paper presented by Engr. Elma M. Karunungan during the Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) titled Alternative Fuels and Energy Technologies, 4 November 2008

² Chief, Alternative Fuels and Energy Technology Division, Department of Energy

Related Links:

Background paper: Workshop on Biofuel Development in Southeast and East Asia: Policy Issues and Research Agenda