Friday, November 24, 2006 Bicameral body passes bio-fuels bill
THE Senate and the House of Representatives have concluded discussions on contradicting provisions of Senate Bill (SB) 2226 and House Bill (HB) 4629 or the proposed Biofuels Act of 2006 and approved the draft consolidated measure.
Senator Richard Gordon, co-author and co-sponsor of the legislative measure, was delighted by the development
Gordon said the speedy passage of the measure will promote the use of alternative renewable energy sources, particularly biofuels, which would benefit the country in terms of reducing the country's dependence on imported oil.
He added that the proposed Biofuel Act will also protect public health and the environment and will create jobs and livelihood opportunities.
The proposed Biofuels Act of 2006 will mandate the use of biofuels by blending five percent bioethanol with gasoline within two years from the effectivity of the Act and one percent biodiesel with diesel within three months from the effectivity of the Act.
With the mandate, Gordon anticipates the influx of investors in the biofuels industry that would spur agro-industrial development and increase rural employment and income.
Gordon added that other industries like the alternative fuel vehicle industry are also eagerly anticipating the passage of the draft Biofuels Act of 2006.
He said Ford has even taken the step of establishing the Philippines as its center of excellence for flex fuel technology through the manufacture of the first flex fuel vehicle and an additional investment of a P1.1 billion to build the first flex fuel engine manufacturing facility in the Southeast Asian region.
Gordon also said aside from having clean alternative energy, the use of biofuels would also have a positive impact on the price of gasoline and diesel for consumers.
For his part, Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the passage of the proposed Biofuel Acts will be beneficial to the country and our people. "The umbilical cord that ties us with the international oil market will be loosened with the passage of this law. Makakatulong ito ng napakalaki para sa ating mga kababayan na masyado umaaray sa taas ng gasoline sa pandaigdigan merkado (This will be a big help to our countrymen who have been suffering the pain of high fuel cost). The passage of this law will mark a very historic move for this Congress," Pimentel said. (CPB/Sunnex)
