Philippine Sugar Union Champions E15 Ethanol Blend to Safeguard Jobs and Strengthen Rural Communities
The National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (Nacusip–TUCP) has voiced robust endorsement for a legislative proposal to elevate the country's ethanol blend from E10 to E15. This initiative, spearheaded by Negros Occidental Fifth District Representative Emilio Bernardino Yulo, is hailed not merely as an energy policy but as a vital economic lifeline for the nation's sugar sector.
A Pro-Worker Policy Shift
Roland de la Cruz, national president of Nacusip-TUCP, emphasized that this transition represents a critical safeguard for thousands of sugar workers, mill employees, and bioethanol plant personnel. In a detailed statement, he articulated that raising the blend to E15 will substantially amplify demand for locally produced bioethanol. This surge in demand is projected to directly translate into heightened productivity and enhanced income security for sugar farmers and laborers across rural regions.
"Every liter of bioethanol produced sustains jobs in rural communities where employment opportunities are scarce and economic vulnerability is high," de la Cruz asserted. He underscored that the policy is fundamentally pro-worker, pro-farmer, and pro-community, aiming to fortify rural economies and shield the country's labor force from instability.
Strengthening Social Protection Systems
De la Cruz highlighted the pivotal role of the Social Amelioration and Welfare Program (SAWP) under Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Department Order 144-15. This program functions as a crucial safety net for workers within the biofuel sector, mandating a P0.07 lien per liter of molasses-based bioethanol. The accrued funds are allocated towards livelihood projects, emergency assistance, and financial benefits for workers.
"Increasing the blend to E15 directly increases these funds, strengthening the social protection system that workers rely on," he explained. Should the blending requirement be augmented, the volume of bioethanol sold by local producers would correspondingly rise, leading to higher lien collections. Notably, approximately 80 percent of these collections are disbursed directly to sugar workers as cash bonuses or financial benefits.
"This is real money that goes to real families," de la Cruz stressed, cautioning that any delay or rollback in blending requirements constitutes a direct assault on workers' welfare.
Active Advocacy and Opposition to Suspension
Nacusip–TUCP is actively engaged in the Tripartite Consultative Council for SAWP in the Bioethanol Sector, ensuring that field and mill workers have representation in shaping policies that protect their rights and guarantee equitable distribution of benefits. The federation, in alliance with the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) and Confederation of Sugar Producers Association Inc. (Confed), firmly opposes any legislative endeavors to suspend the mandatory ethanol blending program.
The union issued a stark warning that suspending the requirement would devastate the bioethanol industry, drastically reduce income opportunities for sugarcane farmers, and jeopardize thousands of jobs. "Suspending the blending mandate will not only weaken the industry—it will push workers deeper into poverty," de la Cruz declared.
Broader Economic and Energy Context
Amid escalating fuel prices, Representative Yulo has advocated for the ethanol blend increase as a pragmatic measure to mitigate fuel price hikes, avert potential fuel shortages, and provide relief to both the local sugar industry and the general public. Nacusip–TUCP has urgently called upon Congress to prioritize worker welfare and reject any measures that could undermine the advancements achieved in establishing a stable, job-generating bioethanol sector.
This policy shift is positioned as an essential economic adjustment that not only addresses energy concerns but also reinforces the social and economic fabric of rural Philippines, ensuring that progress in the bioethanol industry translates into tangible benefits for its workforce.
