The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) is intensifying its monitoring to ensure full compliance with the mandated 3-percent coconut methyl ester (CME) blend in all diesel fuel sold nationwide.
The DOE said a statement a notable avoidance in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was recorded for B3, totaling 7,433 kilotons of carbon dioxide equivalent based on the April 2007 to September 2024 sales data from accredited local biofuels producers.
It said this achievement highlights the positive impact of biofuels in mitigating GHG.
The country implemented a 1-percent biodiesel blend (B1) in 2007 in compliance with the Biofuels Act adopted in 2006. The blend increased to 2 percent (B2) in 2011.
Undersecretary Alessandro Sales, who supervises the OIMB, emphasized the DOE’s commitment to ensuring a seamless transition to the higher biodiesel blend.
“Oil companies have been given ample time to make this adjustment, and the OIMB will now conduct inspections at bulk depots to enforce compliance. Timely action at the depot level is crucial to maintaining an up-to-date and efficient fuel distribution chain,” Sales said.
The OIMB will gradually expand its inspections to include gasoline stations in the coming weeks.
The DOE reminded the oil firms that non-compliance with the 3 percent biofuels blend would result in penalties of P200,000.
Non-compliance is considered adulteration, while possession of biofuels blend that fails to meet the Philippine National Standards (PNS) requirements is also considered adulteration.
A fine of P300,000 will be imposed for repeat offenders, which may also lead to the revocation of their accreditation or registration.
Meanwhile, the DOE that based on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Carbon Emission Calculator, the 3-percent CME blend would displace around 300 million liters of pure diesel annually.
This translates into an estimated 1.11-percent reduction in carbon emissions, equating to around 298.2 kilotons of carbon dioxide.
It said this reduction would play a crucial role in supporting the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution commitments to combat climate change In addition to environmental benefits, biodiesel combustion produces fewer harmful emissions, such as particulate matter and sulfur dioxide compared to conventional diesel fuel.
