The Philippine Biodiesel Association (TPBA) is hoping for a thorough evaluation of the impact of the proposed House Bill 4151, or the Murang Langis Act, to consumers amid ongoing congressional deliberations on the bill.
HB 4151 seeks to grant the President the authority to suspend the mandated coco-biodiesel blend whenever blended diesel becomes at least 5 percent more expensive than pure diesel.
TPBA said in a statement over the weekend that it acknowledges the bill’s consumer-protection intent and seeks to enrich the discussion by outlining the broader effects on motorists, farmers and public health.
TPBA aims to help ensure that the proposed suspension mechanism is evaluated with a complete understanding of its wider implications.
The group said blended diesel is not always more expensive; in several periods—particularly during global oil volatility—coco-biodiesel has in fact been at parity with or cheaper than pure diesel.
It said that at current conditions, the B3 (diesel blended with 3 percent coco-methyl ester) blend adds only P0.71 per liter over B2, or less than 2 percent.
It said a future B5 may add roughly another 3 percent, yet delivers 6 percent to 10 percent improved fuel efficiency as confirmed by studies of the Department of Energy (DOE) and the University of the Philippines – National Center for Transportation Studies (UP-NCTS).
This mileage gain translates into P17 billion to P32.6 billion in annual consumer savings, allowing motorists to come out ahead even with slight nominal changes at the pump.
TPBA also expressed full support for the DOE and commended Secretary Sharon Garin for championing policies that balance consumer protection, farmer welfare, environmental responsibility and national energy security.
It said the biodiesel program has delivered cleaner air, stronger rural livelihoods and better fuel performance, reinforcing its role as a strategic component of the country’s energy landscape.
“The DOE has done an excellent job ensuring energy security and balancing stakeholder needs. Our contribution to the discussion is simply to highlight additional considerations to help ensure that all angles are fully evaluated. We believe this approach supports the spirit of HB 4151 and the broader goals of government,” said Ramon Taniola, executive director of TPBA.
“Biodiesel continues to give Filipinos more value per peso, and we hope to preserve that momentum,” he added.
TPBA also emphasized that 25 million Filipinos depend on the coconut industry, and the biodiesel mandate has become one of the most stable domestic markets supporting farmers amid global commodity uncertainty.
It said any potential changes to the mandate should take into account how stability affects replanting, modernization and long-term productivity programs.
TPBA also lauded DOE for its commitment to cleaner air as coco-biodiesel reduces soot emissions by up to 95 percent, contributing to the avoidance of P1.86 trillion to P2.2 trillion in annual health costs.
These gains directly benefit urban communities, children, seniors and daily commuters. The association urged policymakers to continue supporting DOE’s broader vision of a cleaner, more secure and more sustainable energy landscape.
