{
  "id": 15235495,
  "title": "Higher bioethanol blend eyed as gas prices soar",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/higher-bioethanol-blend-eyed-as-gas-prices-soar",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-17T16:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Philippine Star Business",
    "slug": "philippine-star-business",
    "url": "https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/10/18/2563887/higher-bioethanol-blend-eyed-gas-prices-soar"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Manila, Philippines — As gasoline prices surpass P100 per liter, the Philippine government is considering raising the mandatory bioethanol blend to alleviate strain on domestic fuel pumps. Energy Undersecretary Alessandro Sales revealed that the National Biofuels Board is evaluating an increase to 15 percent E15 from the present 10 percent E10 blend. \"This may help stabilize gasoline prices,\" Sales stated in a recent interview. Bioethanol is a renewable, high-octane fuel generated from plant sources like sugarcane and corn, mixed with gasoline for vehicle use. The Biofuels Act of 2006 mandates oil companies to blend a minimum of 10 percent bioethanol by volume into all gasoline sold and distributed nationwide. The E15 blend comprises 15 percent bioethanol and 85 percent regular gasoline by volume. Sales indicated that while E20 is currently accessible on a voluntary basis, not all automobile manufacturers guarantee compatibility with the higher blend. \"However, most vehicles are already equipped for E15, so your warranty should not be affected,\" he explained. The Department of Energy and Agriculture are investigating affordable, diverse feedstocks to make locally-produced bioethanol more competitive against imported fuel. They are specifically assessing molasses and sugarcane juice from the sugar industry, along with locally-produced corn as substitute feedstocks. \"Another advantage of bioethanol is that imported ethanol is cheaper,\" Sales noted. Gasoline prices spiked by up to P1.56 per liter this week, marking a second consecutive price hike. Metro Manila currently sees gasoline prices as high as P107.46 per liter, according to recent industry data.",
  "summary": "With gasoline prices hovering above P100 per liter, the government is looking to raise the mandatory bioethanol blend to help ease pressure at domestic pumps.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}