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IS IT TIME TO PUSH FOR A HIGHER BIODIESEL BLEND?

IS IT TIME TO PUSH FOR A HIGHER BIODIESEL BLEND? The question of pushing for a higher biodiesel blend has suddenly become very timely. As of early 2026, the Philippines is currently implementing a B3 blend, meaning that diesel sold in the market contains 3 percent coco-methyl ester (CME) derived from coconut oil. The plan of the government is to gradually increase the blend to B4 and eventually B5 by October 2026 under the Biofuels Act of 2006. But perhaps the bigger question now is this: Are these targets already outdated? The global oil situation has changed dramatically. Wars in the Middle East, supply disruptions, and volatile oil markets have once again reminded us how vulnerable we are to imported fuel. The Philippines imports the vast majority of its petroleum needs. Every spike in global prices quickly translates into higher transport costs, higher food prices, and higher electricity costs. So why not look closer to home? At the center of this opportunity are the estimated 2.5 ...
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COULD WASTE PLASTIC BE PROCESSED BACK INTO DIESEL AND GASOLINE?

COULD WASTE PLASTIC BE PROCESSED BACK INTO DIESEL AND GASOLINE? The short answer is yes. In fact, the technology already exists and has been tested for years. The process is called pyrolysis, and it essentially “unmakes” plastic by heating it to extremely high temperatures—usually between 300°C and 900°C—without oxygen. Instead of burning, the plastic breaks down into smaller hydrocarbon molecules that can become fuel oils such as diesel or gasoline. In simple terms, plastic originally came from petroleum. Pyrolysis simply reverses the process by turning the plastic back into oil-based fuels. When plastic waste undergoes pyrolysis, three products normally emerge. The first is pyrolysis oil, which can be refined into diesel, gasoline, or even used as feedstock for making new plastics. The second is synthetic gas, which can power the plant itself. The third is char, a carbon residue that can be used as industrial fuel or additive. Perhaps this technology has been around for decades but r...
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COULD THE OIL CRISIS EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A FERTILIZER SHORTAGE?

COULD THE OIL CRISIS EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A FERTILIZER SHORTAGE? Many people worry about rising fuel prices because they expect higher transport costs. Others fear that fuel supplies might run out. But there is a bigger concern that is rarely discussed: could an oil crisis eventually result in a fertilizer shortage—and eventually a food crisis? The short answer is yes. Most people associate oil with cars, airplanes, and electricity generation. However, modern agriculture is deeply dependent on fossil fuels, not only as energy but also as a raw material for fertilizers. In fact, the global food system would look very different without fossil fuels. The key link is actually natural gas. Most nitrogen fertilizers—such as urea and ammonium nitrate—are produced using the Haber-Bosch process. In this process, hydrogen derived from natural gas is combined with nitrogen from the air to produce ammonia, the building block of nitrogen fertilizer. Because of this, natural gas can account for abou...
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HOW THE GOVERNMENT COULD IMPROVE CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

HOW THE GOVERNMENT COULD IMPROVE CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Perhaps it is only my personal observation, but it seems to me that many foreign technologies take about twenty years before they are fully adopted in the Philippines. That may be understandable for heavy industrial equipment, but not necessarily for software. In the digital age, adoption could take only months, or even weeks in the private sector. One good example is Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software. Businesses have been using CRM systems for decades to track customers, answer complaints, and improve services. Ironically, the government—which should be the most service-oriented institution of all—is still struggling to adopt it widely. Before going any further, let us define what CRM is. Customer Relationship Management refers to a strategy and a set of digital tools that help organizations manage interactions with customers. It stores customer information, tracks requests or complaints, monitors s...
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HOW COULD SMALL SCALE FARMERS MAKE USE OF SOLAR POWERED MINI RICE MILLS?

HOW COULD SMALL SCALE FARMERS MAKE USE OF SOLAR POWERED MINI RICE MILLS? It’s the same story repeated across many rice-growing communities: poor farmers keep planting rice, harvesting rice, and selling rice—but they remain poor generation after generation. The problem is not laziness. Rice farmers work extremely hard to produce the valuable grain called palay . The real problem is that they remain stuck at the lowest end of the value chain. They sell raw palay at low farm-gate prices, while traders and millers make larger profits by turning that palay into milled rice. In short, farmers are producers but not processors. Fortunately, technology is now making it possible for them to move up the value chain. For decades, rice milling required gigantic machines installed in large factory-type buildings. These mills were expensive, power-hungry, and far beyond the reach of small farmers. Because of that, farmers had no choice but to transport their harvest to commercial millers or sell it c...
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HOW TO IMPROVE THE ENTERPRISE-BASED EDUCATION AND TRAINING FRAMEWORK

HOW TO IMPROVE THE ENTERPRISE-BASED EDUCATION AND TRAINING FRAMEWORK The Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) framework of the Philippines, implemented under Republic Act No. 12063, is one of the most promising reforms in our technical-vocational education system. Administered primarily by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the program aims to bring training directly into the workplace so that workers learn the exact skills that industries actually need. The philosophy is simple: “training to trabaho.” If students learn inside factories, offices, farms, or construction sites, they are more likely to get hired immediately after training. On paper, EBET looks excellent. In fact, historical data suggests that graduates of enterprise-based programs enjoy employment rates of around 80 to 85 percent, much higher than traditional school-based technical training. That alone should convince us that the concept is correct. However, if the concept is good...
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ARE GRAB DRIVERS EMPLOYEES OR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS?

  A RE GRAB DRIVERS EMPLOYEES OR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS? The question of whether Grab drivers are employees or independent contractors is becoming one of the most important labor issues in the modern “gig economy.” In the Philippines, the answer remains a legal gray area. I am not yet ready to take a firm position on this matter. Like many observers, I am still waiting for clearer laws and more definitive court rulings before making up my mind. On one hand, becoming employees could benefit Grab drivers. If they are formally classified as employees, they would automatically become members of government social protection systems such as the Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. That means they could receive benefits like health insurance, retirement pensions, and housing loans. Of course, they would also have to pay their own contributions, but the long-term security might be worth it. On the other hand, formal employment might also impose stricter requirements. Dr...
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