DoE plans to register gin-makers shifting production to ethanol

Given anticipated deficient ethanol supply come 2011, the Philippines’ Department of Energy (DoE) is opening its doors for prospective registration of gin-makers who may want to shift their production into ethanol. DoE Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan emphasized that “gin” makers may convert but prior registration with us is a must.” The ”gin-to-ethanol production shift” strategy, when underpinned by favorable tariff protection, is seen as the “saving grace” of the Biofuels Law’s full mandate for 10% ethanol blend to gasoline (E10), prescribed for implementation by February 2011. But if domestic ethanol supply won’t suffice to meet demand, it was noted that oil companies can stick to local sourcing for only 5% of the mandate by volume and may prefer to source additional supply from imports. (January 6, 2009)