LIBANAN SAYS 5% COCONUT BIODIESEL BLEND MUST BE IMPLEMENTED URGENTLY

House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan urged the Department of Energy to immediately adopt the proposed five percent (B5) coconut biodiesel blend following the Department of Agriculture’s endorsement of the measure.

Libanan said the policy would benefit millions of Filipinos who rely on the coconut industry by increasing demand for copra, improving farm incomes, and creating more jobs.

He criticized the DOE’s earlier suspension of the B4 and B5 biodiesel blend mandates, saying it delayed economic opportunities for coconut farmers.

The lawmaker also stressed that expanding coconut-based biodiesel use would strengthen energy security and promote cleaner, renewable fuel sources.

Government data show that around 25 million Filipinos depend on the coconut industry, with many farmers still living below the poverty line.

Source: PhilNews24 | July 6, 2026