Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo formally signed into law Wednesday a bill promoting the use of biofuels as an alternative energy source to lessen the country's dependence on import of oil, said the official Philippine News Agency.

The law is in consistence with the Declaration on East Asian Energy Security ratified by the 16 heads of state or government of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its dialogue partners during the just-concluded 2nd East Asian Summit in Cebu.

The biofuels act seeks to reduce dependence on imported fuels with due regard to the protection of public health, the environment and natural ecosystems consistent with the country's sustainable economic growth that would expand opportunities for livelihood.

It mandates the use of biofuels as a measure to develop and utilize indigenous renewable and sustainably-sourced clean energy sources to reduce dependence on imported oil.

It also intends to mitigate toxic and greenhouse gas emissions and increase rural employment and income and ensures the availability of alternative and renewable clean energy without any detriment to the natural ecosystem, biodiversity and food reserves of the country.

Source: Xinhua