Philippines CAAP Launches SAF Adoption Drive on Back of March Policy Workshop

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines held its first SAF Policy Development Workshop in March 2026, citing rice and coconut waste as priority feedstocks and a 65-80% emissions reduction target

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SAFpath News Desk

April 9, 2026

Image Source: SAF Path

Summary: The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is formally advancing SAF adoption, following its 2026 SAF Policy Development Workshop held at the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines on March 24. CAAP Director Retired Lt. Gen. Raul L. Del Rosario reaffirmed commitment to making SAF viable in the Philippines, citing the country's agricultural sector and specifically rice and coconut waste as priority feedstocks. The regulator identified a 65-80% emissions reduction potential from SAF adoption.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is formally advancing SAF adoption, following a dedicated policy workshop held on March 24, 2026, at the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines (NAAP). CAAP Director Retired Lt. Gen. Raul L. Del Rosario announced the push publicly on April 7, affirming the regulator’s commitment to building a domestic SAF framework aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez’s directives.

The Philippines enters the SAF conversation with a geographic advantage that most Asian markets lack: a large domestic agricultural base producing feedstocks that can be converted directly into aviation fuel. CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio highlighted rice and coconut waste as the priority feedstocks, both of which are produced in significant volumes and currently have limited commercial value. That positions the country to potentially develop a low-cost, locally sourced SAF supply chain rather than competing for imported used cooking oil.

“We reaffirm our commitment in making SAF adoption more viable and accessible, leveraging collaboration between government, industry, and private partners to shape a sustainable and forward-looking Philippine aviation sector.” Retired Lt. Gen. Raul L. Del Rosario, Director, CAAP

The March 24 workshop covered feedstock availability, production technology, capacity-building, regulatory support, airline participation, and investment opportunities. CAAP cited a 65 to 80 percent potential reduction in aviation carbon emissions from SAF adoption, consistent with lifecycle assessments for HEFA and other waste-based pathways.

The Philippines is the ninth-largest aviation market in Asia-Pacific by passenger volume, with Ninoy Aquino International Airport handling approximately 40 million passengers annually before the pandemic. As the country’s aviation sector continues its recovery, a domestically produced SAF supply could give Philippine airlines a cost-competitive sustainability option without full exposure to the global UCO price volatility that currently drives most HEFA pricing. Whether CAAP’s policy momentum translates into a formal mandate, a blending target, or a production incentive scheme will determine how quickly that potential converts into actual fuel supply.

Source: Peoples Tonight Online

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