Philippines needs imports to meet bioethanol mandate

A study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said that the only way Philippine producers can meet the government’s mandated 5% bioethanol blend is by importing bioethanol. Production of sugarcane-based bioethanol, according to the USDA, has been problematic, as there is a lack of production facilities in the country. The USDA said that expansion of the local ethanol industry was hindered by difficulties surrounding land use in the Philippines. Allowing the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) to expire could have opened up new opportunities, according to the USDA, as a new law may hold the key to investments that will allow opening up land for more sugarcane plantations. However, in July, the Philippine Congress extended CARP till June 30, 2014. Thus, the Philippines may have to turn to other feedstocks other than sugarcane, such as sweet sorghum and cassava, to produce more bioethanol locally. (June 5, 2009)