Philippines: Philippines Set to Roll Out Higher Biofuels Blends

On May 7, 2024, the Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary signed three Department Circulars (DCs) on the implementing guidelines and specifications for the roll-out of voluntary E20 gasoline and mandatory B3 diesel blends. The DCs were publicly announced in two newspapers on May 20, 2024. The discretionary E20 was approved to mitigate the effects of high fuel prices by offering a less expensive alternative. According to DOE, using E20 gasoline could bring a decrease of approximately PhP3.21 ($0.06) per liter at the pump and an estimated net savings of PhP4.17 ($0.07) per liter of diesel from an increase in mileage using B5. This move further aims to decrease dependence on imported fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support the biofuels industry.