Biofuels board gets initial budget

The Philippine National Biofuels Board (NBB), which will oversee the government’s alternative fuels program, has been given an initial budget of Php90 million (US$1.98 million) for 2008, from the Department of Energy’s Php3.6-billion (US$79.2 million) proposed budget for 2008, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said. The Biofuels Law tasks the NBB to ensure the supply and quality of biofuels and to recommend any increase in the volume of biofuels to be blended with gasoline and diesel fuel. Since May, all diesel-powered motor vehicles are required to use at least a 1% biodiesel blend, which will increase to 2% after two years. (August 24, 2007)