DA pushes B5 coco-biodiesel shift

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is urging a faster transition to a higher coco-biodiesel blend, proposing an increase from the current 3 percent to 5 percent (B5) as part of a broader strategy to strengthen energy security and revive the country’s coconut industry.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. revealed that the proposal has already been formally endorsed to lawmakers and the Department of Energy (DoE).

The move follows the approval of Resolution 03 series of 2026 by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries-National Sectoral Committee, which aims to promote sustainability while enhancing the nation’s energy resilience.

“The resolution is backed by the private sector and we have transmitted it to Senate agriculture committee chairman Francis Pangilinan and energy secretary Sharon Garin, who also chairs the National Biofuels Board (NBB),” Tiu Laurel noted.

At the core of the proposal is the increased use of coconut methyl ester (CME), a cleaner, biodegradable fuel derived from coconut oil.

“The shift will promote blending coconut methyl ester (CME)—a biodegradable biodiesel derived from coconut oil—into petroleum products. CME emits significantly less sulfur and greenhouse gases than conventional diesel,” the agri chief added.

While the shift is expected to deliver long-term benefits, officials acknowledged that its impact on fuel prices will not be immediate. Tiu Laurel explained that “while B5 is a long-term market intervention rather than an immediate remedy for high fuel prices—with local prices expected to take six to 12 months to stabilize amid global supply chain disruptions—industry experts consider it a crucial step.”

Beyond environmental gains, the initiative is seen as a major economic boost for millions of Filipinos. “By promoting the shift to coco-biodiesel, we expect it to stabilize agricultural prices and raise the income for an estimated 2.5 to 3.5 million coconut farmers,” he enthused.

The agriculture chief emphasized that the measure goes beyond compliance with global standards, framing it as a strategic investment in rural livelihoods and national development. “This will also reduce our dependence on imported fuels,” he pointed out. TRACY CABRERA