The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on Tuesda released Sugar Order (SO) No. 4, series 2025–2026, clarifying the importation of sugar-derived raw materials for bioethanol production – including molasses, sugar, sugarcane, syrup and related products – may only proceed with authorization from the National Biofuels Board (NBB).
This corrects an earlier order from the 2008–2009 crop year which was interpreted incorrectly. According to SRA administrator Pablo Azcona, the previous interpretation was not aligned with the Biofuels Act and was harmful to local sugar farmers.
Separately, proposals are being discussed to amend Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2008-1. A key proposal is to add yellow corn as an approved feedstock alongside sugarcane and molasses. Supporters note this could provide additional income for farmers during low harvest periods, citing studies that suggest using surplus corn for ethanol production when supply exceeds demand for animal feed.
On the other hand, the livestock and poultry sectors raise concerns: the Philippines currently produces only 62.7 percent of thebrequired yellow corn that makes up around half of animal feed inputs.
The Department of Energy (DOE) also notes that increasing bioethanol blending levels, such as moving to E20 (20 percent bioethanol, 80 percent gasoline), could lower fuel prices by up to ₱5 per liter. The agency also states that using locally produced biofuels strengthens national energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. The NBB remains the central body responsible for overseeing the implementation, monitoring and setting blending targets for the country’s biofuel program.
