MANILA - Several gas stations were found using gasoline tainted with methanol, the energy department said Monday.

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is not allowed under the current standards of gasoline sold in the country.

The Department of Energy (DOE) said it monitored several stations, most of which are those with just one branch, where gasoline products have methanol.

Only ethanol is allowed based on the biofuels law. Under the law, all gasoline products should have 10 percent ethanol.

Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies (IPPCA) president Fernando Martinez urged the DOE to monitor the gas stations using methanol because the illegal practice can affect performance of vehicles.

ETHANOL PRICES

IPPCA also complained to the House energy committee that prices of local ethanol has become 300 percent more expensive than local ones. The group said local ethanol is priced at P62 per liter while imported ethanol is only priced P24 per liter.

The problem, the group said, is that they are required to get local ethanol first before they can import. Acquiring cheaper ethanol will bring down gasoline prices by P2 per liter, Martinez said.

The DOE, meanwhile, said it is open to amend the implementing rules and regulations of the biofuel law, but this needs consultation.