By Alena Mae S. Flores

The Energy Department may impose a higher bio-diesel blend of 3 percent by the end of the year from the current 2 percent.

Mario Marasigan, director for Energy Utilization and Management Bureau, said a technical committee was now discussing the possibility of B3, or bio-diesel with 3 percent blend.

?The idea of increasing the blend to B3 was floated and now being studied by a technical committee,? he said.

The Biofuels Law, which took effect on Feb. 6, calls for the implementation of a higher blend of bio-diesel, a renewable and biodegradable diesel fuel extracted from plant oil. Bio-diesel, obtained from coconut oil, was initially mixed at 1 percent in diesel fuel.

The law initially required a one percent bio-diesel blend when it was passed in 2006.

The blend is to be increased annually, depending on the recommendation of the Energy Department.

?If we will be able to complete the consultation, we will hopefully implement the higher blend within the year,? Marasigan said.

The energy official added the department recently released the guidelines for Republic Act 9367, or the Biofuels Act of 2006, to promote the development of the bio-fuels industry.

?The joint administrative order published provides clearer and faster accreditation process for bio-fuel producers, distributors and oil companies,? he said.

Marasigan said the guidelines would encourage private sector participation ?to institute mechanisms, which will fast-track investments in the bio-fuel industry.?

The guidelines also provide for the creation a one-stop shop under the supervision of the National Biofuels Board. The one-stop shop aims to ensure the speedy facilitation of certificates, licenses and permits from government agencies related to the industry.

A provision in the guidelines also specified rules on the conversion of agricultural lands into bio-fuel production sites.