PH Participates in First Global Ethanol Summit in Washington
The Philippine delegation (front row from left) Jetti Petroleum Inc. President Leo Bellas, Department of Energy Chief Science Research Specialist Ruby de Guzman, Philippine Embassy in Washington Agriculture Attaché Dr. Josyline Javelosa, Sugar Regulatory Administration, Planning, Policy and Special Projects Department Manager Rosemarie Gumera, Ethanol Producers Association of the Philippines (EPAP) Executive Director Queenie Rojo, and Department of Science and Technology’s Nonilo Pena.
(Back row from left) University of the Philippines Los Baños Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Professor Rex Demafelis, US Grains Council Regional Director for Southeast Asia Manuel Sanchez, Roxas Holding Inc. President and CEO Hubert Tubio, US Grains Council Council President and CEO Ryan LeGrand, URC Sugar and Renewables Business Unit Chairman and General Manager Renato Cabati, and Leyte Agricultural Corporation Chief Finance Officer Kevin Chang. (Washington PE photo)
WASHINGTON D.C. 30 October 2019 — A 10-member Philippine delegation of private and public representatives including the Philippine Embassy in Washington’s Agriculture Attaché Dr. Josyline C. Javelosa participated in the inaugural Global Ethanol Summit hosted by the US Grains Council, Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy on 13 to 15 October 2019 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.
The Summit is an invite-only meeting for Minister- and senior-level industry leaders, ethanol producers, and refiners across global ethanol markets in over 50 countries to interact towards creation or expansion of ethanol production and trade and further information exchange and collaboration.
US Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky in his keynote address updated the forum on US policy affecting the ethanol industry, including the USDA’s plan to roll out a program to incentivize sales of higher ethanol blends including E15, and to build the infrastructure for it.
Deputy Secretary Censky also gave the Philippines as an example of an economy committed to its domestic ethanol production while allowing trade to complement its blending requirements and environmental targets.
Ethanol production in the Philippines currently uses sugarcane and molasses although there are some ethanol plants looking into other feedstock, particularly corn, as potential sources.
Meanwhile, biodiesel production in the Philippines is from coconut oil transesterified into coco methyl ester and is referred to as cocobiodiesel when blended with fossil diesel.
The event, which brought together more than 400 attendees, discussed ways to decarbonize transport and reduce particulate matter emissions, collaborate in production, trade, and increased use of biofuels/ethanol for the achievement of environmental, human health, and economic benefits. END
USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky delivers his keynote address. (Washington PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippineembassy-usa.org, https://www.facebook.com/PHinUSA or https://www.twitter.com/philippinesusa