Manila: The Senate has approved a measure that will expand denaturing of alcohol to pave the way for growth in the personal care, cleaning, and health-related industries.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Senate approved on final reading the amendments to Sections 134 and 168 of the National Internal Revenue Code, which covers denaturing of alcohol. Under existing laws, only locally produced ethyl alcohol is allowed for denaturing. The proposed measure, if enacted into law, would expand denaturing to include those sourced from overseas.

Denaturing is the process of mixing substances with ethyl alcohol to make it undrinkable. Denatured alcohol has various uses, ranging from cleaning and disinfection to fuel and industrial applications. It is effective for cleaning different surfaces, and its solvent properties allow it to dissolve greases and stains.

Denatured alcohol is widely used as a fuel source for camping stoves and other devices and is used in the production of products like perfumes, lotions, and cleaning agents. Once imported ethyl alcohol is allowed to be denatured locally, the product will also be exempt from excise tax, benefiting certain enterprises, including personal care, cleaning, and health-related industries.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means, stated, "Oras na maisabatas, ito ay magpapahintulot sa mga mahahalagang sektor na makakuha ng mga materyales nang mas episyente, mabawasan ang gastos sa produksyon, at manatiling competitive (Once enacted into law, this will allow some sectors to acquire materials which is more efficient, less production costs and competitive)."