Metro Manila, Philippines – Despite being certified as urgent and hurdling the House of Representatives, the bill allowing the importation of biofuels to help lower pump prices failed to pass the Senate on the last session day before a six-week break.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who chairs the ad hoc committee on the Middle East crisis response, said lawmakers need more time to review the proposed amendment to the Biofuels Act.
The existing law requires all liquid fuels sold in the country to contain locally sourced biofuel components. The proposed amendment would allow the president to authorize the importation of biofuel components—such as bioethanol and biodiesel—if prices of blended fuel rise to at least 5% higher than pure fuel.
“Kailangan pang pag-aralan nang mabuti dahil almost 400,000 farmers as well as mga processing plant workers ng ethanol ang maapektuhan kung papayagan mag-import nang mag-import,” Gatchalian said after the session on Wednesday, March 20.
“So kailangan masigurado natin na yung mga farmers natin na 400,000 ay meron silang protection and safeguards. At kailangan ring pag-aralan kung tunay na bababa ba ‘yung presyo,” he added.
[Translation: This still needs to be studied carefully because almost 400,000 farmers, as well as ethanol processing plant workers, will be affected if we allow continuous importation. We need to ensure that our 400,000 farmers have protection and safeguards. We also need to study whether prices will truly go down.]
Gatchalian said the Senate may convene a special session if studies show that importing biofuels would significantly benefit consumers.
“Actually, ‘yun ‘yung recommendation namin. Kung talagang sa pag-aaral ay malaking impact sa consumers, pwede mag-special session,” Gatchalian said.
“Committed ang Senado doon na mag-convene kami for a special session,” he added.
[Translation: That is actually our recommendation. If studies show a major impact on consumers, we can call for a special session. The Senate is committed to convene for a special session if needed.]
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said several senators from both majority and minority blocs raised concerns and preferred a more thorough floor discussion instead of rushing the bill’s approval on the final session day.
When asked whether this has been communicated to Malacañang following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s urgent certification, Zubiri said:
”Wala akong magagawa, ayaw ng members e [There’s nothing I can do if the members don’t want it].”
Meanwhile, Congress has passed a separate bill allowing the president to suspend or reduce fuel excise taxes if the average price of Dubai crude oil reaches at least $80 per barrel for a month. The measure also aims to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices driven by the Middle East crisis.
