The Philippine Biodiesel Association (TPBA) on Sunday said discussions on House Bill 4151, known as the Murang Langis Act, should take into account its wide impact on motorists, coconut farmers, and public health, reports The Manila Times.
TPBA executive director Ramon Taniola said the Department of Energy (DOE) has been effective in keeping the country’s energy supply stable while considering the concerns of various sectors. He added that the group’s role is to point out additional factors that lawmakers may want to examine closely. “We want to help make sure every aspect is studied carefully. We believe this supports the intention of House Bill 4151 and the larger goals of the government,” Taniola said.
The Murang Langis bill aims to amend the Biofuels Act of 2006 (Republic Act 9367). It seeks to provide relief from high fuel prices by allowing the president to temporarily stop the required blending of biofuels with petroleum products. The president may suspend the blending rule for up to one year, based on the recommendation of the National Biofuels Board (NBB) and the DOE, if the cost of blended gasoline or diesel becomes at least 5 percent higher than unblended fuel.
However, the TPBA pointed out that blended diesel is not always more expensive. During periods of unstable global oil prices, coco-biodiesel can be cheaper than pure diesel. The group explained that a B3 (3-percent) blend adds only P0.71 per liter to B2, or less than 2 percent, while B5 may add around 3 percent, but studies by the DOE and the University of the Philippines–National Center for Transportation Studies (UP-NCTS) show it can improve fuel efficiency by 6 to 10 percent.
According to the TPBA, the improved fuel efficiency results in consumer savings of P17 billion to P32.60 billion each year. The B3 blend has been in place since October 2024.
The NBB earlier recommended postponing the shift to the B4 blend, originally set for October 1 this year, and the B5 blend planned for October 1, 2026, due to the high cost of global coconut oil and its possible impact on inflation. The DOE released an advisory in July delaying the planned increases.
The NBB is still reviewing the situation to decide when the suspension may be lifted.
The TPBA also noted that around 25 million Filipinos rely on the coconut industry and said the biodiesel mandate has supported coconut farmers. The group stressed that any changes to the blending policy must consider how consistent demand affects programs for replanting, modernization, and long-term productivity in the sector.
