Philippines Seeks Cheaper Bioethanol Feedstocks Amid Gas Price Hike Plans

The Philippine government is exploring cheaper materials to produce bioethanol in order to lower gasoline prices. The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) are looking at various feedstocks, including molasses, sugarcane juice, and corn, to support higher ethanol production.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that these options have potential to help bring down gasoline prices. The DA noted that an increase in feedstock costs could lead to a P1 increase in ethanol prices.

The government plans to increase the ethanol content in gasoline from 10% to 15%. Ethanol production in the Philippines ranges from 325 million to 385 million liters annually using sugarcane-based feedstocks, although local plants have a combined production capacity of more than 500 million liters.