EVEN if the government decides to increase the coco-methyl ester (CME) biodiesel blend to 5 percent from its current 2-percent levels, local biodiesel manufacturers are confident local supply is enough to meet the possible increase in demand.

This is what Dean Lao Jr., chief operating officer of Chemrez Technologies Inc., indicated to reporters, saying there is more than enough production capacity for a 5-percent biodiesel blend.

At the current 2-percent biodiesel blend, according to Lao, only 40 percent of local supply is being utilized.

Lao noted at least 300 million liters of production capacity is needed to meet the demand for a 5-percent biodiesel blend.

“However, to date, there should be around 365 million liters of biodiesel supply produced locally,” he added.

Energy Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan earlier said oil companies were mandated to blend 2 percent of CME into their diesel products in February this year pursuant to the Biofuels Act of 2006.

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) will again accredit companies that will serve as its third-party service providers that will monitor cargoes in transit using a new technology, which would reduce the requirements but may add cost to the shippers.

According to a draft of a Customs administrative order on the use of global positioning system (GPS), BOC will accredit service providers, which will be allowed to equip transit cargo and their transport carriers with the proper equipment.

“The proposed GPS system should be sufficiently secured to prevent the unauthorized access to the tracking and monitoring process and the data that the system generates,” according to the proposed order, which is still being reviewed by various stakeholders.

These groups include importers, exporters, brokers, port and warehouse operators, shipping lines, airlines and their agents, forwarders, haulers, transport carriers and truckers.

CHRISTMAS lights remain at the top of the list of the traditional Filipino Christmas décors because of their affordability and attractiveness.

As Christmas draws nearer, these colorful lights deck houses, posts, churches, buildings and business establishments—even trees and bushes are adorned with these to add a feel of merriment to the surroundings.

Christmas lights can be bought almost anywhere—in department stores, bazaars, even along sidewalks, especially along the areas of Baclaran, Carriedo and Divisoria. Some come in as cheap as three 50-bulb set for P100.