The Philippine Biodiesel Association (TPBA) on Tuesday warned that a proposed measure allowing for the suspension of coco-biodiesel blending, House Bill 4151 (HB 4151), jeopardizes the livelihood of millions of coconut farmers, threatens public health and undermines national environmental goals.
The group said the debate over the bill, which proposes suspending the mandate when blended diesel becomes 5-percent more expensive than pure diesel, goes beyond simple fuel costs. TPBA claims the 6 percent to 10 percent improved mileage of blended diesel often offsets any nominal cost difference at the pump, generating net annual savings of P17 billion to P32.6 billion for consumers.
“When you remove stability from the coconut market, you don’t just affect companies—you affect families, entire communities, and 25 million Filipinos whose livelihoods depend on coconuts,” said TPBA executive-director Ramon Taniola.
The current coco-biodiesel mandate, known as B3, is a stable income anchor for coconut farmers and supply chains nationwide. TPBA warned that any disruption to demand threatens farmer incomes, slows rural development and weakens the viability of the government’s ambitious program to plant up to 100 million new coconut trees over the next three years.
Taniola called the mandate “the bridge between today’s rural incomes and tomorrow’s modern coconut economy,” adding that HB 4151 puts that bridge at risk.
TPBA also stressed the public health impact, noting that coco-biodiesel reduces soot by up to 95 percent, preventing an estimated P1.86 trillion to P2.2 trillion in annual pollution-related health costs.
“Cleaner air is a national benefit, not an industry perk. The health savings alone outweigh any temporary difference in pump price. Protecting biodiesel means protecting the health of every Filipino,” Taniola said.
The association lauded the Department of Energy (DOE) for consistently advancing policies that uplift rural communities and safeguard public health.
TPBA urged policymakers to recognize biodiesel as a strategic national tool, warning that weakening the mandate would jeopardize the country’s long-term economic and environmental trajectory.
