DEC.

26, 2013

NR # 3328

Solon seeks inquiry into claims biofuels development threatening countrys food security
A lawmaker has called on the House committee on energy to inquire, in aid of legislation, into the performance and impact assessment of the Biofuels Act of 2006 and the development of alternative sources of biofuels in light of claims that biofuel development is detrimental to food security !ep "haron #arin $%arty&list, AA'B(" )*A+ sought the inquiry through House !esolution ,00, saying there is an emergent consensus from eminent scientists, scholars and international organi-ations that biofuel development is detrimental to food security ./he emergent consensus is that biofuel development is threatening the availability and supply stability of food due to diversion of land and other resources from food production to biofuel e0pansion,1 #arin said .Although the intents and purposes of the Biofuels %rogram are commendable and essential, the government also has to put equal premium on food security,1 said #arin, a vice chairperson of the House committee on ways and means "he said in pursuit of balancing the interests of food security and biofuels development, it is practical and 2udicious to conduct a thorough research and development on other indigenous biofuel sources .Amidst issues raised against the Biofuels %rogram, it is high time to conduct a process evaluation of the Biofuels Act of 2006 to determine its performance and impact vis&3&vis the goals set forth in the law4s declaration of policy,1 #arin said According to her, studies have surfaced, stating there are many other plants, shrubs, trees, agricultural wastes and residues that could be developed for biofuels e0pansion, apart from the biomass feedstock currently used in biofuel development "he said it is the 5ational Biofuels Board $5BB+, which is tasked to oversee the implementation and monitoring of the Biofuels %rogram and the evaluation for future e0pansion ./he 5BB is also empowered to determine the feasibility of mandating a minimum of 60 percent blend of bioethanol by volume into all gasoline fuel distributed and sold by each and every oil company in the country within four years from the effectivity of the Biofuels Act of 2006, and, thereafter, recommend the same to the 7epartment of 8nergy $7)8+ for implementation,1 said #arin

"he said in adherence to the "tate policy to reduce dependence on imported fuels in consideration of public health, environment and sustainable economic growth, !epublic Act 9:6;, otherwise known as the Biofuels Act 2006, was enacted into law /he Biofuels Act of 2006 mandates a minimum one percent biodiesel blend and five percent bioethanol blend by volume in all diesel and gasoline fuels, respectively, being distributed and sold in the country .Alternative fuel sources are e0tracted from organic materials such as corn, sugar, cassava, sweet sorghum, molasses, potatoes, soybean, rapeseed, canola, sunflower, 2atropha, olive, palm, and cellulosic materials,1 #arin said $:0+ rbb