PNOC-AFC chairman visits prospect for jatropha nurseries
Koronadal City (4 June) -- The Philippine National Oil Company-Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC) is presently looking for about 1.2 million hectares for a massive jatropha production in Mindanao. This was revealed by Chairman Renato S. Velasco during his visit at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao Province.
Velasco stressed that there is an urgent need for the government to develop alternative sources of fuels such as Jatropha.
"The corporation is looking for a 1.2 million hectares for Jatropha production in Mindanao. "We have many idle lands across the country that can be planted to jatropha which would mean additional income for our farmers and help the government source out alternative fuels." Chairman Velasco said.
"Jatropha does not need maintenance. Our farmers can really make use of idle, communal and marginal lands. With the studies that we have done for the past two years, one hectare of jatropha can sustain jobs for two. In 18 months, we can already harvest and it will last up to fifty years." Velasco stressed.
He also pointed out that the continuous global hike in fuel pushed the government to develop alternative sources of fuels such as jatropha.
The government is implementing an alternative fuels program to reduce the country's dependence on imported oil and provide a cheaper, more environment friendly alternatives to fossil fuels with these days' increasing price of oil and gasoline.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed into law in January 2007, Republic Act 9367 otherwise known as the Biofuels Act of 2006 which mandates the use of biofuels in the country.
The Philippine National Oil Company -Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC) was given the mandate to spearhead the implementation of the government biofuels project likewise speed up the development, promotions, commercialization of biofuels as alternative sources of energy especially those from Ethanol and Jatropha.
Jatropha or what we call Tuba-Tuba is a shrub that produces golfball size fruits that contain oil. It does not compete with food because it is toxic. It can also be utilized as fence.
Dr. Robert Visco, doctor of Agriculture & Forestry of UP Los Baņos who accompanied the PNOC-AFC chairman, said that PNOC-AFC with the concerned line agencies and the academe is continuously undertaking studies about jatropha.
To boost production of jatropha, we are touring the country specifically here in Mindanao to open new nurseries of jatropha and give technical assistance related to the project. Dr. Visco added.
The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) has signed an agreement to provide PNOC-AFC with five (5) billion pesos to finance the Jatropha Development Program. (msocoronado-PIA 12) [top]
