DOE urged to fast track review process of EO 449

With the announcement on ethanol importation for 2010 totaling 150 million liters, the Ethanol Producers Association of the Philippines (EPAP) is urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to fast track the review process of EO 449. EO 449 was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2006 to reduce the import tariff on ethanol from 10% to 1%. The order was designed to jump start the Philippine biofuels program by making available to motorists ethanol-blended gasoline at the pumps. EPAP Director Tetchi Cruz-Capellan said “the demand projection released by the National Biofuels Board (NBB) officially puts a cap on the volume of ethanol imports. By using local production figures as basis for the forecast, market risks for domestic ethanol are reduced.” (February 1, 2010)